Challenging behaviors such as aggression, self-injury, and property destruction are common concerns for families and educators of autistic children. Although treatment research has advanced substantially, prevention remains an underused yet promising approach. This webinar will translate the conceptual foundations and practical recommendations from recent prevention science into actionable strategies for daily practice. Drawing from three overarching approaches—building enriched and supportive environments, teaching critical skills, and establishing supportive caregiver repertoires—participants will learn how to reduce risk factors, strengthen protective factors, and promote child success across home, school, and community settings. Real-world examples, case illustrations, and tools for caregiver collaboration will be provided so attendees can immediately begin applying preventive practices in their own work.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe at least three common risk factors for the emergence of challenging behavior in autistic children and explain how these factors interact with environmental contingencies.
2. Identify and apply evidence-based tactics within the three preventive strategies to promote skill development and reduce conditions that give rise to challenging behavior.
3. Develop a plan for collaborating with caregivers to implement and sustain preventive practices with high fidelity across natural environments.

About the Presenter

Tara Fahmie Ph. D.

Dr. Tara Fahmie is a Professor and Director of the Severe Behavior Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Munroe-Meyer Institute. She previously held an appointment as associate professor at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). She earned her master’s degree from the University of Kansas and her PhD from the University of Florida. Dr. Fahmie is a BCBA-D and has nearly 20 years of experience implementing behavior analysis with various populations in clinics, schools, and residential settings. Her main area of expertise is in the assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior; she has conducted research, authored chapters, and received grants for her global work in this area. Her initial interests in the functional analysis of problem behavior and acquisition of social skills in young children led to her emerging passion for research on the prevention of problem behavior.