Training Manual for Behavior Technicians Working with Individuals with Autism

Dr. Jonathan Tarbox is the Co-Founder and Program Director of the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program at the University of Southern California, as well as Director of Research at FirstSteps for Kids. Dr. Tarbox is the past Editor-in-Chief of the journal Behavior Analysis in Practice, a Board Member of the ABA Task Force to Eradicate Social Injustice, and a member of the Advisory Board of the Women in Behavior Analysis (WIBA) conference. He has published five books on applied behavior analysis and autism treatment, is the Series Editor of the Elsevier book series Critical Specialties in Treating Autism and Other Behavioral Challenges, and an author of over 90 peer-reviewed journal articles and chapters in scientific texts. His research focuses on behavioral interventions for teaching complex skills to individuals with autism, Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), and applications of applied behavior analysis to issues of diversity and social justice. Courtney Tarbox, MS, BCBA, is a Regional Clinic Director at FirstSteps for Kids, an ABA service provider offering comprehensive intervention to children on the autism spectrum. Her early work in developmental disabilities included working in therapeutic, residential, and educational settings, with individuals diagnosed with a variety of developmental disorders and ranging in age from early childhood to adolescence. Ms. Tarbox has worked at FirstSteps since 2009 and is responsible for designing and overseeing individualized treatment plans that are unique to each child's needs, as well as monitoring the service provision implemented by behavior technicians to ensure that competent and dedicated individuals are providing intervention leading to meaningful progress for the children with whom they work. Ms. Tarbox is actively engaged in treatment evaluation research and has published in peer-reviewed journals. Ms. Tarbox is a regular presenter at autism and ABA conferences and gives parent and community presentations with the aim of dispelling common misconceptions about ABA treatment for children with autism.

Biographies

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Chapter 2 - Autism Spectrum Disorder

Chapter 3 - Measurement and Data Collection

Chapter 4 - Assessment

Chapter 5 - Skill Acquisition

Chapter 6 - Behavior Reduction

Chapter 7 - Documentation and Professional Conduct

Appendix A: Sample Skill Acquisition Ideas Sheet

Appendix B: Ethical Guidelines

Appendix C: Sample Field Evaluation