The concepts discussed in this session are designed to augment the capabilities of personnel who do Function Based Assessments for children who display a wide variety of challenging behaviors. This training specifically focus on providing attendees: a) a theoretical background of applied behavior analysis, b) the knowledge to operationally define, record, and display behavior for appropriate data analyses, and c) the background knowledge of key concepts that lead to greater understanding of why children display challenging behavior.  The overall theme is that this session will help to lay a foundation of pre-cursor knowledge that permits the application of appropriate FBA technologies that will result in effective BIP’s designed to reduce challenging behaviors and to increase appropriate/adaptive behaviors displayed by children with such concerns. The session also includes discussion on the following topics: a) the underlying reasons for using the ABA model for challenging behaviors displayed by students within the classroom setting, b) the Ethical use of this technology in school settings, c) how to define behavior in observable and verifiable terms, d) how to properly select the appropriate methods of data collection to capture this information, e) how to Graphically depict this information appropriately for decision making, f) understanding the similarities and differences between the ABC and SORC models, g) the variety of antecedents that trigger/cause challenging behaviors to be displayed, and h) the concepts of Stimulus Control, Setting Events, Motivational Operations and Abolishing Operations will also be discussed.

Presenter: Sean D. Casey, Ph.D., BCBA-D, current position is working as a consultant for the Iowa Department of Education serving as the state’s Challenging Behavior Consultant since 2009. Sean has been involved with clinical work and research in applied behavior analysis since 1991. He currently teaches as adjunct faculty at Drake University in their Psychology Department and he has been the primary impetus for developing BCBA content for the only BCBA-conferring institution in the state (Briar Cliff University). In 2006, Sean was a recipient of the Mentor of the Year award by Association for Behavior Analysis Student Committee. Sean currently serves as the Secretary of the Association for Professional Behavior Analysis and formerly served as the Treasurer of the Iowa Association for Behavior Analysis. Most of Sean’s clinical and research interests involve two primary areas: 1) function based assessments for children who display severe and chronic challenging behavior and 2) assessment and treatment of children with feeding issues (i.e., total food refusal and food selectivity). His clinical work and research has been published in a variety of outlets including: Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Modification, The Behavior Analyst Today, Journal of Behavioral Education, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, as well as two international outlets (i.e., European Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología). Sean also has served as a guest editor for several journals including Behavioral Interventions, Education and Treatment of Children, and JABA. Sean has great passion for his work and his primary goals are bring the science of ABA to the state level for systematic dissemination throughout the state and beyond.