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| Observational Learning and Children With Autism: Clinical Applications Across the Age Span |
| Thursday, February 2, 2017 |
| 9:30 AM–10:20 AM |
| San Juan Grand Ballroom |
| Area: AUT; Domain: Basic Research |
| Instruction Level: Basic |
| CE Instructor: Bridget A. Taylor, Ph.D. |
| Chair: Brian D. Greer (Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center) |
| BRIDGET A. TAYLOR (Alpine Learning Group) |
 Dr. Bridget A. Taylor is co-founder and executive director of Alpine Learning Group and is Senior Clinical Advisor for Rethink. Dr. Taylor has specialized in the education and treatment of children with autism for the past 27 years. She holds a Doctorate of Psychology from Rutgers University, and received her Master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Columbia University. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Licensed Psychologist. She is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and serves on the editorial board of Behavioral Interventions. She is a member of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and serves on the Autism Advisory Group for the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. Dr. Taylor also serves on the Scientific and Community Advisory Board for SPARK, a new program at the Simon's Foundation Autism Research Initiative. Dr. Taylor is active in the autism research community and has published numerous articles and book chapters on effective interventions for autism. She is a national and international presenter and serves in an advisory capacity for autism education and treatment programs both locally and abroad. |
| Abstract: Observational learning is the acquisition of new behavior that results from observing the behavior of others and the consequences of that behavior (Catania, 1998). Observational learning has significant educational, economic, and social implications. If children with autism can learn new behaviors by watching others, this could result in a reduction in intensive individual instruction and alleviate financial burdens on families and education providers. Additionally, observational learning can lead to the acquisition of academic and socially relevant behavior and potentially provide individuals with autism more opportunities for inclusion in typical learning and employment environments. An overview of emerging research in the area of observational learning will be presented, as well as clinical applications to improve the observational learning skills of individuals with autism across the age span. |
| Target Audience: Certified behavior analysts, licensed psychologists, graduate students. |
| Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to: (1) define observational learning according to Catania (1998); (2) describe instructional considerations when teaching children with autism to learn through observation. |
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