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Inaugural ABA Forum

"ABA Today" - Saturday 28 April, 2012

The Autism Behavioural Intervention Association was delighted to present its inaugural forum, ABA Today: Effective, Evidenced and Evolved on Saturday 28 April, 2012.  There was an overwhelming response to the forum and it was sold out 10 days before the scheduled date. 

ABIA was fortunate to attract two high profile speakers, Dr John McEachin (renowned author and Founding Director of Autism Partnership) and Dr Cynthia Zierhut (UC David M.I.N.D. Institute).  They both highlighted the evolution of ABA since its introduction in the early 70s and how it has become a contemporary and flexible treatment model today.

Our stream presenters comprised leading ABA practitioners and researchers.  The practitioners gave practical examples of how ABA is applied in diverse settings and the researchers spoke of the latest outcomes in recent studies.

Tom Gleisner lightened the mood of our afternoon Expert Panel session which included panel members:  Dr John McEachin, Dr Cynthia Zierhut, Anthony Macris (Author), Shannone Eeles (Director, CISCA) and Agata Puglia (Teacher, Flemington Primary School).  Each panel member brought something to the session:  from Agata Puglia who spoke of how her primary school has embraced ABA and how this approach works for the whole classroom (not just the ASD child); to Anthony Macris who shared examples of his personal journey with autism and ABA.

A special thank you goes to our major sponsor, State Government Victoria (Department of Human Services), and to our stream sponsors, Autism Partnership, Connecting-Minds and Clifton Productions.  Our sponsors contributed enormously to the success of our event.

Presentation slides from Keynote speakers and Stream presenters are listed below.

To access more information about the speakers, sponsors and the 2012 schedule, please click the relevant archive links listed below:

• Speakers
  
• Sponsors
  
• Forum Program

If you would like to be informed of the next ABA Today forum (held bi-annually), please email info@abia.net.au and we will add you to our distribution list.

Keynote and Stream Presentations

To access the presentation slides from Keynote and Stream presenters, please click on the relevant link below:

Keynote

• Dr. John McEachin:  Does ABA have a heart? 
  
  
• Dr. Cynthia Zierhut:  Early Start Denver Model - origins and principles (not currently available for release)
  

Stream 1 - Intervention Programs & Outcomes

• The IDEA Program:  a whole school approach to intervention
  
  
• Intensive behavioural intervention for preschool children with autism:  A full service model program & graduate outcomes (not currently available for release)
  
  
• Little Learners Autism Program
  
  
• Predictors of outcome in the Early Start Denver Model
  

Stream 2 - Specific Strategies & Practitioner Skills

• Working with babies
  
  
• Using video modelling products to enhance learning (not currently available for release)
  
  
• The importance of learning styles and motivation (not currently available for release)
  
  
• The value of utilising self-evaluation methods to improve therapy skills
  

Stream 3 - Behaviour Management

• Functional behaviour assessment to address problem behaviour
  
  
• Using a self-management intervention to increase compliance
  
  
• ABA & pharmacological interventions for children with Autism
  
  
• Intensive behavioural treatment for elopement behaviour with preschoolers