Organizations supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), especially those serving children, rely heavily on interventions rooted in applied behavior analysis (ABA) to manage severe problem behavior. Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) often play critical roles as consultants or leaders in these organizations. Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) is an increasingly common job role in IDD organizations.
But a reckoning is happening in the ABA field over what many see as the trauma-inducing nature of some traditional ABA practices. As IDD organizations begin to implement trauma-informed care (TIC) to more compassionately support people that have suffered trauma, they must grapple with how to change some ABA practices embedded in their systems.
Dr. Greg Hanley is smack in the middle of that reckoning. After working with people with IDD for over 30 years, publishing over 100 chapters and articles, and training waves of ABA doctoral students, he began critically examining his own (and others’) practices, recognizing that some were causing harm and not leading to desired changes. This led him to develop what he calls “Today’s ABA,” a contemporary and compassionate version of ABA.
In 2020, the Traumatic Stress Institute (TSI) began offering our Whole-System Model to TIC to organizations in the IDD sector. Dr. Hanley's new thinking closely aligns with TSI's approach to trauma-informed system change with IDD organizations and systems.
We are proud to offer this FREE Webinar on Tuesday, May 16th, 3-4pm EST. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMAION AND TO REGISTER.
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