13th Annual ETHICS in Professional Practice Conference

Judah B. Axe, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA
Professor of Behavior Analysis
Simmons University

Ethical Considerations in Teaching Verbal Behavior

Abstract:

In the decades prior to 2000, researchers designed procedures for teaching verbal behavior to autistic individuals that were structured, rigid, and focused on teaching rote skills. Now in the 2020s, there is a clear call for behavior analysts to ensure their interventions “produce outcomes likely to maintain under naturalistic conditions” (BACB Code of Ethics, 2.14). In terms of teaching verbal behavior, the mand often meets these guidelines, but the other verbal operants are not as straightforward. With a focus on the tact, the presenter will differentiate “educational tacts” and “natural tacts” and present a study analyzing variables that may lead to natural tacts. There will also be a discussion of the reinforcement for natural tacts and methods to establish generalized conditioned social reinforcers.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

• Describe ethical guidelines on targeting meaningful skills that maximize benefits and are likely to occur under naturalistic conditions.
• Describe methods for conditioning attention as a reinforcer as a means of approaching the ethical guideline of promoting verbal behavior under naturalistic conditions.
• Describe recent research on how antecedent variables found in natural environments affect tacting.

Presenter Bio:

Dr. Judah Axe received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education from The Ohio State University. He joined the faculty of Simmons University in Boston, MA, in 2008 and is currently a Professor of Behavior Analysis in the on-ground and online master’s and Ph.D. programs. He authored the 10^th edition of Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers and over 40 research articles and book chapters, mostly on teaching verbal behavior to children with autism. Dr. Axe serves on the editorial boards of five research journals and has held leadership roles with the Association for Behavior Analysis International, the Verbal Behavior Special Interest Group (VB SIG), the B.F. Skinner Foundation, the Organization for Autism Research, and the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. He was overjoyed to receive the 2021 VB SIG Award for Excellence in Teaching Verbal Behavior.

Molly Benson, MS SpEd, BCBA, LABA, EdS

The Ethics of Sustainability: Advancing Behavior Analysis to Address the Climate Crisis

Abstract:

As the climate crisis intensifies, behavior analysts are uniquely positioned—and ethically obligated—to apply their science toward environmental sustainability. Yet the field often remains narrowly focused, despite the broad relevance of behavioral principles. This presentation will outline strategies for scalable, systems-level interventions to promote sustainable practices, including contingency planning, ethical considerations, and opportunities for replication. Attendees will gain practical tools and a clearer understanding of behavior analysis’s role in addressing this urgent global issue.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

• Describe the ethical responsibilities of behavior analysts in addressing environmental sustainability.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration and sustainability research.
• Identify opportunities to apply behavior-analytic strategies at a systems level to promote sustainable practices.
• Analyze the role of supportive and opposing contingencies in the success of sustainability interventions.

Presenter Bio:

Molly Benson, M.S. Sp.Ed, BCBA, LABA, Ed. S, is a seasoned special educator and behavior analyst based in Beverly, Massachusetts. With over 25 years of experience supporting individuals with disabilities, she brings together expertise in behavior analysis and a deep commitment to environmental sustainability. Molly holds degrees in Sociology (University of Miami) and Special Education (National University), completed her ABA coursework through the Florida Institute of Technology, and earned a Transition Specialist Endorsement from Cambridge College.

She is actively involved in advancing pro-environmental behavior through her work with Behaviorists for Social Responsibility, New England Behavior Analysts for Sustainability, and the BABAT Sustainability Advisory Board. A member of the editorial board for Behavior and Social Issues, Molly has co-authored publications and presented at national conferences. Her student-led composting initiative at Beverly High School earned sustainability research awards from BABAT and the Association for Maine Behavior Analysis.

At the Endicott Ethics Conference, Molly will share practical strategies for fostering sustainability in behavior analytic practice and emphasize the ethical importance of consistent action toward meaningful, systems-level change.

Corina Jimenez-Gomez, PhD, BCBA-D
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
University of Florida

Anchored in Ethics: Cultural Responsiveness Amid Shifting Tides

Abstract:

In an era marked by cultural polarization, political resistance to DEIA initiatives, and increased scrutiny of professional conduct, behavior analysts face complex challenges in upholding ethical and culturally responsive practices. This presentation offers a principled yet pragmatic approach to navigating these turbulent waters. Anchored in the BACB Ethics Code and guided by foundational values of cultural responsiveness, we will explore strategies for maintaining professional integrity, engaging in evidence-based practices, and delivering equitable, client-centered services—even amid external pressures and resistance. Behavior analysts can—and must—stay the course toward inclusive, ethical practice. This session will present a practical framework to serve as an ethical compass, along with strategies to support practitioners as values-driven navigators committed to meaningful, culturally attuned behavior change. Ultimately, I will argue that behavior analysts must continue to function as scientist-practitioners: monitoring their own behavior, ensuring alignment with the Ethics Code, and working collaboratively with stakeholders to promote ethical, effective, and culturally responsive care.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

• Identify key components of the BACB Ethics Code that support culturally responsive practice.
• Describe at least three strategies for engaging in ethical and culturally responsive practice.
• Develop an individualized action plan or “ethical navigation map” to guide future professional conduct when faced with cultural or ethical turbulence.

Presenter Bio:

Dr. Corina Jimenez-Gomez (she/her/ella) is originally from Caracas, Venezuela. Over the past 20 years, she has lived in many places, held several academic positions, and worn a range of hats. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor in the Behavior Analysis program, Department of Psychology, at the University of Florida. Her professional interests range from choice and reinforcement processes to supporting learners and staff in applied settings, all through the lens of cultural responsiveness. Perhaps most importantly, she is also the mom of two amazing humans and is married to a fellow behavioral scientist.

SungWoo Kahng, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA
Professor, Department of Applied Psychology
Director of Academic Programs in Autism and ABA
Co-Director of Research, Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services
Rutgers University

Conducting Functional Analyses is the Ethical Choice

Abstract:

Conducting functional analyses (FAs) of problem behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related developmental disorders is widely regarded as best practice. However, many behavior analysts do not routinely incorporate FAs into their clinical work, potentially violating the BACB’s Professional and Ethical Compliance Code. This presentation will explore the ethical implications of this gap in practice and examine commonly cited barriers to conducting FAs. We will critically evaluate these barriers in light of current scientific evidence and discuss strategies for promoting the adoption of FAs within clinical settings.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

• Identify commonly perceived barriers to conducting functional analyses.
• Evaluate scientific evidence that supports or challenges these perceived barriers.
• Explain why conducting functional analyses aligns with ethical standards in behavior analysis.

Presenter Bio:

Dr. SungWoo Kahng is the Chair of the Department of Applied Psychology, Director of Academic Programs in Autism and ABA, and a Professor at Rutgers University. Previously, he was an associate professor at the University of Missouri (MU), where he also served as Chair of the Department of Health Psychology, Founding Director of the MU Graduate Programs in Applied Behavior Analysis, and Director of the Applied Behavioral Intervention Service at the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Dr. Kahng has held faculty positions in the Department of Behavioral Psychology and worked as a senior behavior analyst on the Neurobehavioral Unit at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Additionally, he was an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Dr. Kahng earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kalamazoo College and his Ph.D. in behavior analysis from the University of Florida. He has served as an Associate Editor and on the Board of Editors for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. He is currently on the Board of Editors for Behavioral Intervention and the Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

A New Jersey Licensed Behavior Analyst and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Dr. Kahng is a Fellow of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, a Trustee of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, and a Trustee for the Autism MVP Foundation. He has been the President of the Board of Directors of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, the Applied Representative to the Executive Council of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, a member of the Scientific Council of the Organization for Autism Research, and a Past President of the New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis.

Dr. Kahng received the 2003 B.F. Skinner New Researcher Award from Division 25 of the American Psychological Association. His research and clinical work focus on assessing and treating complex problem behaviors in individuals with developmental disabilities. His broader research interests include employment and college supports for adults with autism spectrum disorder, as well as obesity and aging. Dr. Kahng has mentored numerous undergraduate, master’s, and predoctoral students, as well as postdoctoral fellows, and has co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and chapters.

Daniel R. Unumb, Esq.
President, Autism Legal Resource Center LLC

Legal Essentials for Quality Ethical Practice

Abstract:

This presentation will educate attendees on essential laws they should know to deliver quality, ethical third-party funded ABA services.  Laws discussed include federal and state mental health parity laws, autism insurance mandates, state prompt payment and recoupment statutes, federal Medicaid (EPSDT) law, the federal False Claims Act, Licensure/Professions Code, ACA Nondiscrimination laws, denials and appeals regulations, and the Americans with Disabilities Act and related access issues.  We will discuss ethics code provisions relating to these laws and the intersection of relevant laws and clinical practice decisions. The format of instruction will be lecture with some audience participation.

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

• Identify the three types of treatment limitations prohibited by federal mental health parity law.

• Identify at least one type of state law relevant to your insurance funded practice.

• Identify how long a provider has to return an identified overpayment to avoid a False Claims Act violation. 

Presenter Bio:

Dan Unumb is an attorney and founder of the Autism Legal Resource Center. Mr. Unumb previously served as the founding Executive Director of the Autism Speaks Legal Resource Center, where he worked to secure improved insurance and Medicaid coverage for individuals with autism in over 40 states.

He has worked with federal and state regulators to secure improved guidance and enforcement on autism-related issues and has filed amicus briefs on autism legal issues in state and federal appeals courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. He is co-author of the law school casebook “Autism and the Law” and has presented on legal topics pertaining to autism at numerous national conferences and trainings.

Mr. Unumb is also co-founder of the Autism Academy of South Carolina, a treatment facility providing state-of-the-art care to children on the autism spectrum. He has served on the supporting board for the Greenwood Genetics Center and is a board member of Ascendigo, in Aspen, Colorado, which provides challenging recreational activities to children and adults with autism as well as community living support. Mr. Unumb has litigated cases in federal and state courts across the country in private practice in Boston, Washington, D.C., and Charleston and as an attorney with the United States Department of Justice.

Mary Jane Weiss, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA
Dean of the Institute for Applied Behavioral Science
Director, PhD Program in Applied Behavior Analysis
Endicott College

Conversing about Current Ethical Concerns in Behavior Analytic Circles: Navigating the Challenges and Finding the Path Forward

Abstract:

Ethical practice has always been complex, and opinions about the field and within the field have always been diverse. Still, in recent years, the level of concern among professionals has been heightened. The field of ABA has seen unprecedented changes in recognition, demand, professionalization, and growth. We have also faced unprecedented criticism. Within the field, divisiveness has threatened our unified mission and messaging. As we look to move into the next era of our field, it may help to focus on foundational values, core principles, our commitment to humane and compassionate care, and our openness to reflection, innovation, and change.  In this presentation, special attention will be paid to how our commitment to science can guide us forward, how our commitment to collaboration can build our success with colleagues and with clients, and how our commitments to compassionate care and culturally responsive work can ensure that we meet the evolving needs of those we partner with.  Suggestions will be offered for how each of us can converse about difficult topics in ways that foster individual growth and collective progress.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

• Identify the current challenges within and outside of the profession that have impacted the profession of behavior analysis
• Delineate how foundational commitments to science, collaboration, and humane care can still steer the field in positive directions
• List individual and organizational strategies that can assist behavior analysist in discussing concerns, addressing conflicts, ensuring growth, and resolving concerns

Presenter Bio:

Mary Jane Weiss, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA, is the Dean of the Institute for Applied Behavioral Science and is Director of the Ph.D. Program in ABA at Endicott College, where she has been for 11 years. She also works with the research and training teams at Melmark. She has worked in the field of ABA and Autism for over 35 years. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers University in 1990 and she became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2000. She previously worked for 16 years at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center at Rutgers University. Her clinical and research interests center on defining best practice ABA techniques, integrating compassionate care and cultural responsiveness into ABA service delivery, exploring ways to enhance the ethical conduct of practitioners, training staff to be optimally effective at instruction and at collaboration, and maximizing family members’ expertise and adaptation.  She serves on the Scientific Council of the Organization for Autism Research, is on the board of Association for Science in Autism Treatment, is a regular contributor to the ABA Ethics Hotline, is on the editorial board of Behavior Analysis in Practice, and is a Trustee of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. She is a regular presenter at national and international conferences and is a frequent member of service committees for a variety of organizations.

Continuing Education opportunities:

BACB® Learning CEs and Psychology CE Credits (Includes Licensed psychologists, school psychologists, and EdDs/educational psychologists)

This is a hybrid in-person and virtual conference. Recordings will be available for 14 days. (For those seeking Psychology CE Credits, there is an additional testing process to be completed for asynchronous/home-study completion.)

BACB®  ETHICS Learning CEUs (6.0 Anticipated): The Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies is an approved Type 2 CE Provider by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) and is authorized to offer 6.0 CE units for this conference. Continuing Education Provider No.: OP-04-0058

Attendees must complete all six presentations in-person, virtually or through recordings available for 14 days post-conference for asynchronous home-study to earn CEs. (Partial credit will not be issued.) An evaluation and code quiz with a 100% score needs to be completed for issuance of continuing education.

 

Psychology CE Credits (6.0 Anticipated)*: Amego Prepare is a co-sponsor of this conference for Continuing Education Credits for Psychologists. Amego Prepare is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Amego Prepare maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

In case of a complaint, about Psychology CE Credits, contact Amergo Prepare directly through Dr. Michael Weinberg at MWeinberg@amegoinc.org.

Attendees must complete all six presentations in-person, virtually or through home-study* to earn Psychology CE Credits. (Partial credit will not be issued.) An evaluation and code quiz with a 100% score needs to be completed for issuance of continuing education. *If you are completing the conference through recordings for home-study, there is a DIFFERENT process through Amego Prepare for those seeking a certificate for Psychology CE Credits. Contact Michael Weinberg at MWeinberg@amegoinc.org.

It is attendee’s responsibility to check with their State and Professional organization to confirm all CE offerings.

This is a hybrid event with a smaller in-person gathering or a virtual attendance offering. Our in-person event will be held on the beautiful campus of Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts.

For In-Person:

Event Venue: Cleary Lecture Hall, Endicott College’s main lecture hall located in the Hempstead Commons Building at the center of campus. Interactive Campus Map

The Parking Garage is open this year! It is located near the Hempstead Commons Building & Wax Academic Center. For parking anywhere on campus, you need to download and print out the parking permit for your vehicle.

Enter the Endicott College main entrance and follow the road up the Hill. There will be a detail officer and signs to direct you.

For virtual attendance:

The Zoom meeting link and access information will be sent from behavior.org@gmail.com the week of the conference.  IF you do not receive, email pavlik@behavior.org.