We recently caught up with Jodie, a dedicated Skybound BCBA (Board Certified Behaviour Analyst), to find out more about her experience at the ABAI (Association for Behavior Analysis International) conference. This event, rich with knowledge and innovations in the field of behaviour analysis, provides a platform for professionals to share insights, discover new methodologies, and advocate for the continued evolution of ABA practices. Jodie, who presented a Skybound Therapies case study, sheds light on the importance of perseverance in enhancing communication for individuals with severe disabilities.
Can you tell us about the case study you presented at the conference?
Absolutely. The case study focused on a teenage girl with quadriplegia and a brain injury. There was a prevailing belief that she couldn’t learn cause and effect, which is crucial for making choices. So, she wasn’t making much progress and had been unsuccessful at being able to use a head switch. Skybound got involved to see if we could teach her cause and effect. Through ABA, we discovered that she could indeed make choices and we were able to get her successfully using a head switch. We then progressed to 2 head switches to help her indicate preferences. For instance, she could choose whether to go into a food shop or a coffee shop. We offered her many options, observed body movements and analysed a lot of data to understand her specific preferences and the subtle ways she would communicate these.
She now has an eye-gaze software programme which tracks her eye movement. The device allows her to communicate her preferences by gazing at different tiles on a screen. Whichever tile she gazed at the longest would indicate her choice. It was a breakthrough in demonstrating her ability to interact with her environment and make her needs known.
What feedback did you receive after your presentation?
We had some great feedback! Unfortunately, we didn’t have a lot of time for in-depth discussions afterward because we had to move on to the next talk quickly. However, a few people came up to us, expressing how they were inspired by the intentional movement concept and our dedication to not giving up on the client despite the initial scepticism.
What can families learn from this case study?
The key takeaway is to never give up. Just because a child hasn’t reached certain milestones by a specific age doesn’t mean they can’t achieve them later with the right support and motivation. In our case, we focused on what motivated the individual, using preferred items like physical play or spinning her in a chair to reinforce her use of the head switch. This approach helped her learn cause and effect, enabling her to communicate effectively.
Jodie it’s been over 18 months since your “Welcome to Skybound” blog. Since then, you’ve completed lots of training including Level 3 Talk Tools and a Motor Speech Master Series course with Renee Roy Hill. It sounds like you’ve been really busy and, to top it off, you’ve just returned from Philadelphia. You mentioned this was your first time attending the ABAI conference. What were your initial impressions and how did the experience compare to your expectations?
I’d never been to a conference before, so I had absolutely no clue what to expect. Attending the ABAI conference for the first time was really eye-opening. I’ve been a BCBA for five years now, and I hadn’t fully anticipated the breadth and depth of knowledge shared there. The number of attendees—over 4,300—was amazing. The atmosphere was full of energy and enthusiasm. The main conference ran from Saturday to Monday, but we travelled out together on the Wednesday so that we could attend the workshops on Thursday and Friday. That was pretty cool as it was a chance for us to focus on our favourite topics in more depth, with workshops lasting a few hours each.
The sheer size of the conference and the area it was spread out over meant we had to plan and coordinate as a team to maximise the learning for Skybound. We would split up and attend talks individually to gain as much knowledge as possible. Sometimes up to 9 talks each per day! It was intense, but amazing. We would then catch up as a group at the end of each day. We had to be well-organised, and we definitely got all our steps in that week!
What were some specific aspects of the conference that stood out to you?
The conference covered a wide range of topics. I attended sessions on behaviours that challenge, the use of technology in ABA and a feeding focused one about compassionate mealtimes. One particularly interesting session discussed using an Apple Watch to improve social skills. Another session explored biosensors to predict challenging behaviour, providing the opportunity to get therapeutic strategies in quickly.
How is technology changing the field of ABA?
Technology is becoming increasingly integrated into ABA practices. There were numerous discussions about AI and ethics, especially in the US, where it’s more prevalent. While AI isn’t as common in therapy in the UK yet, and it’s exciting to see its potential, there’s a lot of work to do to ensure it is used ethically.
How did your experience at the conference influence your perspective on ABA practices?
It highlighted the importance of staying informed about the latest research and advancements. Seeing how ABA is practised differently in the US compared to the UK gave me a broader perspective on what’s possible and how we can continuously improve our approaches. It also motivated me to bring back new ideas and insights to my team, so we can enhance our services and better support our clients.
Did attending other talks at the conference help you with your own presentation?
Absolutely, attending other talks was really beneficial. It provided a lot of context and background that helped me refine my own presentation. I could see other professionals’ presentation styles, how they staged their talks and how they engaged the audience. This insight was invaluable in making sure my talk was as informative and engaging as possible. Plus, it was just great to learn from so many experts in the field.
Were there any unexpected moments or insights that you gained from attending the conference?
It was great to see how everyone worked together so well. Despite the large number of attendees, there was a real sense of community and shared purpose. People were eager to exchange ideas, ask questions, and learn from each other’s experiences. It made the conference not only informative but also personally enriching.
You mentioned earlier about the team and the collaborative discussions you had after each day of the conference. Can you elaborate on that?
Yes, definitely. Every evening, the five of us who attended the conference would gather and discuss what we learned that day, usually over dinner. Each of us attended different sessions based on our interests and areas of expertise. For instance, some of us focused on speech and feeding, while others looked into technology and behavioural interventions. Sharing our insights and debating ideas helped us see how these new approaches could be applied to our own clients and within our organisation. It was an excellent way to ensure that we all benefited from the wide range of information available at the conference.
How did the conference address the differences in ABA practices between the US and the UK?
There was a lot of curiosity about how ABA is practised in the UK compared to the US. Many attendees were interested in our experiences with funding and the tribunal process, which is quite different from the private healthcare model in the US. We presented on teaching communication skills in the UK and shared our perspectives on working within a different healthcare system. It was enlightening for both sides to discuss these differences and consider how we might adapt successful strategies from each other.
It sounds like the conference was a valuable experience. What are your plans for sharing what you’ve learned with your wider team?
We’re planning a special team meeting where we’ll present our key takeaways from the conference. We want to ensure that everyone in our team benefits from the knowledge we gained, even if they couldn’t attend the conference themselves. We’ll share photos, discuss the sessions we found most impactful, and talk about how we can implement these ideas in our practice. This collaborative approach will help us all stay on the cutting edge of ABA practices and provide the best possible support to our clients.
The ABAI conference not only broadened the horizons of our Skybound attendees but also highlighted the importance of persistence, innovation, and compassion in what we do. By embracing new methodologies, our team can continue to make significant strides in improving the lives of individuals with disabilities.
To view our other posts in our ABAI series, please click here and here.
