Mission statement:

To support model demonstration and research projects relevant to Applied Behavior Analysis with a focus on education and direct intervention services for the benefit of individuals with disabilities in our local region and nationally.

Vision statement:

The vision of the consortium is focused on growth through expansion of (a) professional education sites providing Behavior Analyst Certification Board approved curriculum, (b) corresponding supervision and research sites that provide direct behavior analytic interventions, and (c) local and national locations. 

History:

The individual projects that as a group, create the Consortium for Applied Behavior Analysis began at the initiative of Leasha M. Barry, Ph.D., BCBA, Associate Professor in the Division of Teacher Education at the University of West Florida. Dr. Barry works in community partnerships to assist in development of intervention, education, and research projects that relate to special education, applied behavior analysis, and Autism. Through donating her time and working with graduate students enrolled in her programs, Dr. Barry has been able to create several community based model demonstration and research projects for the benefit of individuals with Autism and related disabilities. The purpose of establishing a Consortium of Applied Behavior Analysis is to formalize these collaborative relationships into an associated entity through which funds can be donated for the benefit of one, all, or new development projects by facilitating continued and increased levels of support offered that relate to applied behavior analysis and Autism.

Intervention & Training Sites

Escambia County Clinic Based project : UWF hopes to coordinate with local service providers to place student volunteers and UWF funded student workers to provide services for children in our community at no cost or low cost to families.

Current Research Sites

Dr. Barry's research interests combine her experience and training in the areas of Psychology, Special Education, and Early Intervention applied individuals with developmental disabilities or those who are "at risk"

Graduate students enrolled in Behavior Certification programs at UWF facilitate research projects as part of their Masters Thesis project.

Child Choice study:

Children with severe and profound disabilities are provided choice options during their free recess periods as to where they would like to spend their time.

• These children have preferences of how and where they would like to spend their leisure time

• In over 90% of cases, these children are choosing to spend their leisure time in a “Multi-Sensory Environment” that is rich in both sensory input and opportunities to interact with cause and effect toys, switches, and sensors.

Self-Directed IEP study:

Teaching children with mild to moderate disabilities to actively participate in their educational goal development, monitoring, and evaluation to increase their ability to practice self-determination.

• Academic outcomes - children increased their academic productivity in both accuracy and amount completed.

• Behavioral outcome - children were more less likely to act out in class

• Specific self-determination skill attainment - children learned specific skills to assist them in voicing their preferences when choosing IEP goals.