A Perspective on Today’s ABA from Dr. Hanley

Originally posted on June 4, 2020. This is today’s ABA when starting therapy with an autistic person, especially one who routinely engages in problem behavior.  Today’s ABA (applied behavior analysis) is about continually learning about the predilections of the autistic person being served so that preferred learning contexts can be developed en route to developing…

FTF Behavioral Consulting

FTF Behavioral Consulting was formed in 2019 to meet the demand for practical functional assessment and skill-based treatment training and implementation support. Please visit this website ftfbc.com to learn more about the company, its people, and the services. Please also let others know that we exist, if you think they would be interested. You will…

Seminars and Consultative Support

To inquire about scheduling a one-, two-, or three-day interactive seminar to build organizational capacity in the implementation of: (a) the practical functional assessment and skill-based treatment processes for severe problem behavior (self injury, aggression, property destruction), (b) the  skill-based treatment processes for interfering stereotypy, (c) the home-based assessment and treatment of sleep problems,  (d) home…

Implementation Supports

Please visit the implementation assistance page for updated training videos and handouts, as well as an organized series of new forms, tips, protocols, and data sheets for implementing the Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) and Skill-Based Treatment (SBT) processes. You will also find an updated list of relevant peer-reviewed publications from various research and practice groups.…

Free webinar

November 15, 2017 Dr. Hanley presented a 90-min webinar titled Producing Meaningful Improvements in Problem Behavior of Persons with Autism followed by a 30 min Q&A session. This webinar was hosted and sponsored by Autism New Jersey as part of Autism Society of San Francisco’s Virtual Symposium on Severe Behaviors. Click here to access it.

Recent Research on Practical Functional Assessment and Treatment

Three studies relevant to the practical functional assessment and treatment of problem behavior have been published over the past few months. A brief description of each and links to the articles follow.   A reasonable question regarding the practical functional assessment process is the extent to which it may be effective in different contexts and…

Narrated Slides with IISCA Rationale

Research has indicated that better outcomes are obtained when treatment is informed by a functional assessment process that includes a functional analysis. It is important to recognize, however, that even clear functional analysis outcomes require interpretation of the controlling variables within the analysis and inference as to whether those variables are controlling problem behavior in…

Podcasts for Behavior Analysts

Matt Cicoria has released a number of informative podcasts relevant to practicing behavior analysts on his website: behavioralobservations.com There are podcasts relevant to practical functional assessment of problem behavior and to skill-based treatment of problem behavior. These two podcasts are also linked on the tutorials page noted above. Consider visiting Matt’s website regularly to download…

Strategies to Address Sleep Problems of Children and Their Parents

Sleep problems may be best considered a skill deficit, one that is common especially in children and youth with autism and developmental disabilities (63-80%, compared to 35-50% of typically developing young children). Sleep problems (difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting enough sleep) are associated with higher levels of severe problem behavior (meltdowns, aggression, self-injury), stereotypic self-stimulatory…

Q&A for BCBAs now available

A page dedicated to answering questions provided by BCBAs has been added to this website. This page will contain commonly asked questions regarding the practical functional assessment and treatment process, with new ones posted each week. If there is a question you would like answered, relay it to us on this new page. Click on Q&A for BCBAs above…