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| Providing Sexual Education for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disabilities Through the Use of Behavior Analytic Assessment and Instruction |
| Friday, May 22, 2020 |
| 8:00 AM–3:00 PM |
| To Be Determined |
| Area: AUT/DDA; Domain: Service Delivery |
| CE Instructor: Frank R. Cicero, Ph.D. |
| FRANK R. CICERO (Seton Hall University), SORAH STEIN (Partnership for Behavior Change) |
| Description: Sexual behavior is a topic that will be an issue for many individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities at some point in their lives. Although specific issues vary, many issues are related to deficits in social skills. ABA treatments can be effective in promoting appropriate behaviors of a sexual topography though targeting related social behaviors. This workshop will focus on ABA strategies useful for individuals with developmental disabilities including individuals on the autism spectrum. The workshop will begin with an overview of general issues regarding sexuality development. Consistent with ethical standards, a brief overview of the physiology of human sexual behavior will be provided so that behavior analysts can identify situations where medical issues may be present. We will then address problem sexual behavior through functional assessment and discuss replacement treatments based on function. We will then move into more specific topics which could be included within an ABA sexual education curriculum. Treatment strategies will include reinforcement-based shaping, differential reinforcement, discrimination training, video modeling, task analyses, picture activity schedules, scripts and script fading, and social stories. Empirically supported literature and data will be presented where applicable and available. Topics related to ethics and consent will be discussed. |
| Learning Objectives: 1. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to state common issues experienced by people with developmental disabilities and ASD as related to appropriate and problem behaviors of a sexual topography, 2. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to develop 2-3 teaching programs for skill acquisition of sexual behaviors using techniques and theories consistent with applied behavior analysis, 3. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to conduct a functional assessment of problem behavior as it relates to sexual behavior and develop a behavior intervention plan based on the function, 4. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to list considerations associated with consent. |
| Activities: Workshop content will be taught through the following activities: 1. Didactic instruction by the presenters, 2. Group discussion, 3. Presentation and review of teaching materials, 4. Role play and practice of presented teaching procedures where applicable, 5. Sharing and discussion of research data |
| Audience: The current workshop content is geared towards the following audience: 1. Intermediate and advanced behavior analysts who have a desire to learn how to apply behavioral principles and teaching methods to the topographies of sexual behavior. 2. Educators and related service professionals who have an advanced behavioral background and work with individuals with developmental issues that have needs in the area of sexual behavior. |
| Content Area: Practice |
| Instruction Level: Intermediate |
| Keyword(s): autism, sex, sex education, sexual behavior |