Hawai'i Association for Behavior Analysis

To educate, advocate for, and support both providers and consumers 
of Applied Behavior Analysis.
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Click here to view the 2017 Convention e-book

2017 Speakers

Mark L. Sundberg, Ph.D., BCBA-D

HABA 2017 Keynote Speaker

"A Behavioral Analysis of DSM-5’s 'Failure of Normal Back-and-Forth Conversation'"

The DSM-5 exemplifies its criteria for ASD with “failure of normal back and forth conversation.” But what constitutes a “normal” conversation? A behavioral analysis will suggest it involves verbal behavior, motivation, multiple control, and several other variables. Identifying these variables is essential for the assessment and treatment of impaired conversational skills.

E. Scott Geller, Ph.D

HABA 2017 Keynote Speaker

"Seven Life Lessons from Humanistic Behaviorism: How to Bring the Best Out of Yourself and Others"

Evidence-based guidelines for improving desirable behavior will be illustrated as relevant for benefiting human welfare. If practiced extensively, these life lessons would improve quality of life by reducing interpersonal conflict and bullying, preventing the occurrence of unintentional injuries and fatalities, and enhancing work productivity, environmental sustainability and life satisfaction.

Kim Wolff, MS, BCBA, LBA

HABA 2017 Presidential Address

"Communicating Clearly to Create a Culture of Collaboration"

When there are variables preventing behavior analysts from being effective practitioners, it is our responsibility to see the differences and find a common ground and alleviate any challenges that could affect our clients or practice. Understanding rapport building and applying behavioral principles to modify our behavioral responses helps reduce conflict and misunderstanding. In this presentation, we identify the challenges, review cultural differences, and discuss ways we can compromise without sacrificing our ethical responsibility.

Andy Bondy, PhD

HABA 2017 Invited Speaker

"What's the Emperor Wearing These Days? Communication, Apps and PECS"

The advance of technology involving the use of speech generating devices (SGDs) and iPad apps had led many parents and professionals to hope that such devices will yield better communication skills as well as speech. This talk will review recent research regarding such strategies and how issues related to Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior are often lacking in current research.

Rob Holdsambeck, EdD, LCP, BCBA-D 

HABA 2017 Invited Speaker

"Challenges of Supervision: Lazy Rats, Shopping Math, and the Internet"

After a time, many clinicians are asked to move from providing direct services into a role of providing supervision to others. This can present some unique challenges. Behavioral scientists preach that data are critical to managing effective programs. One of the key challenges for supervisors is getting real data. Lazy rats, shopping math, and internet porn are all stories that show how this search for insight can go wrong. In this talk, Dr. Holdsambeck will use some of the lessons he learned from his early graduate training in behavioral science, through working with couples as a psychologist in private practice, to his current role running an agency and working with others at the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies.

Dave Lennox, PhD

HABA 2017 Invited Speaker

"Strategies and Tactics for Improving Consultation Outcomes"

In addition to understanding the behavior(s) of an individual, a better understanding of the para/professionals, administration, and organization serving that individual will likely significantly increase a consultant’s success. This presentation will present a variety of strategies and tactics with which every consultant should be familiar in order to achieve positive consultation outcomes motivational considerations of those implementing recommended behavioral strategies to organizational contingencies.

Donny Newsome, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA 

HABA 2017 Selected Submission

"'Mastery': Defined Functionally, Measured Behaviorally"

Generally speaking, the concept of ‘mastery’ is well understood. We know a masterful performer when we see one. His or her performance seems to come naturally, quickly and accurately. Difficult or complex tasks are made to look effortless and novel problems are readily overcome. On the other hand, the absence of mastery is equally apparent. Critical skill deficits result in measurably slow, frustrating, inflexible performance and can adversely affect one’s quality of life. As such, mastery is a commonly stated goal of educators in their crafting of skill acquisition plans. Unfortunately, inspection of common goal setting practices by behaviorists and educators reveals an unsettling divide. Whereas the characteristics of mastery listed above represent broad programmatic goals, the specific ‘mastery criteria’ for acquisition targets are often woefully inadequate to produce such results. In this presentation, barriers to adequate goal setting such as inappropriate measurement systems and charting conventions will be addressed. The desired result of the presentation is to empower attendees to move away from goals like, “80% correct across three consecutive trials…” toward criteria more fitting of our experience of functional mastery in everyday life.

Amanda N. Kelly, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA 

HABA 2017 Invited Speaker

"Stop Sucking and Start Saving the World with Behavior Analysis: The Ethics of Sustainable Behavior Change"

As behavior analysts, we are charged with helping others achieve behavior change. We are often called in when stakes are high and situations are escalated. As with any behavior change program, it is important to ensure strong treatment fidelity, meaning we need others to follow the plans we create. There are plenty of times when families, teachers, or other implementers feel frustrated, overwhelmed and unequipped to face certain challenges. As consultants, it can be equally as frustrating when we believe we have buy-in, but later learn that we do not. This past fall, I developed a behavior change program for myself. I was confident I had the tools needed to achieve change. I decided to eliminate consumption of single-use plastic straws. Though motivated and equipped with the science of ABA, I found my behavior change program challenging. Despite being a behavior analyst myself, the degree of my behavior change fluctuated and did not always go in the desired direction. Needless to say, I learned (and I am still learning) a lot about behavior change, by attempting to change my own. In this presentation, I will share these valuable lessons with you.

Kendra Newsome, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA 

HABA 2017 Selected Submission

"What Behavior Science Can Offer Early Education"

Behavior analysts are underutilized in the education of neuro-typical learners. Behavior analysts, however, are well equipped to contribute to the domain of education. This presentation will discuss the benefits of diversifying our service model as behavior analysts to encompass the educational domain and the specific benefits afforded when the focus is on early education. Data obtained from pre-kindergarten learners will be shared to make the case that behavior science is underutilized in the prevention of academic failure.

Mandy Rispoli, PhD, BCBA-D 

HABA 2017 Invited Speaker

"Advances in Trial-Based Functional Analysis of Challenging Behavior for Children with ASD"

Trial-based functional analysis is a model for systematically assessing the function of challenging behavior. The purpose of this session is to provide an overview of trial-based functional analysis and to present new empirical research on the use of trial-based functional analysis in classrooms for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Michele Silcox, Managing Director 

Emily Roche, Director of Services 

HABA 2017 Selected Submission

"Working with Insurance as an ABA Provider"

As a provider, working with insurance companies can be complicated and time-consuming. However, providers need to become comfortable navigating the contracting, authorization, and billing procedures with insurance to keep business running smoothly. Our goal is to assist provider groups, clinicians, and administrative staff in understanding the insurance processes and reimbursements.

Ashley Hogan, MA, BCBA, LBA 

Kelly Deacon, MS, BCBA, LBA 

Nicole Skotz, MS, BCBA, LBA 

Paula R. Ulloa, M.A., M.Ed. 

Panel Chair: Kristen Koba-Burdt, M.S., BCBA, LBA 

HABA 2017 Selected Submission

"Global Efforts to Disseminate ABA"

Local behavior analysts will discussed their efforts to disseminate behavior analysis and change the lives of individuals across the globe. The panel shared their experiences and discuss the ethics of dissemination within different cultures.