Behavioral Directions, LLC, an Autism Consulting Firm Presents Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) & Behavior Intervention Planning Seminar in Loudoun County

Herndon, VA, January 01, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Dr. Jane Barbin of Behavioral Directions, LLC is the invited speaker at the January 2009 Loudoun County Autism Network meeting. The meeting will be held in Ashburn, Virginia. Dr. Barbin will address strategies to manage problem behaviors often exhibited by those affected by autism. Many, though not all, individuals with autism spectrum disorders demonstrate behaviors that are stigmatizing, dangerous and can interfere with the learning process. This introductory presentation is intended for parents and professionals and provides an overview of assessment and treatment of challenging behaviors, including aggression, tantrums, self-injury and noncooperation. Direct and indirect functional assessment methods used to identify the four common functions of problem behavior seen in children with autism (e.g., escape from nonpreferred activities, attention, access to preferred items or activities and internal or automatic reinforcement) will be presented. Information will be discussed on how to use the results obtained from a functional assessment to develop function-based treatment approaches, often termed “Behavior Intervention Plan”, using antecedent modifications and reinforcement-based procedures. School personnel are often the initial participants in the process which may be tied in with the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP), though parents play an important, informative role in conducting an adequate assessment.

These ABA strategies have received strong empirical support in published research and the importance of evaluating treatments for children, teens and adults with autism based on data is critical to avoid utilizing ineffective and minimally effective interventions. The use of more restrictive treatment approaches to address behavioral concerns for those affected with autism will also be discussed. The development of a data collection system to measure program efficacy and ongoing progress will also be reviewed and graphical representations of function-based treatment will be presented.

A leading professional in autism and behavior disorders, Dr. Barbin is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst who founded Behavioral Directions, LLC in 2001. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and trained in Behavioral Psychology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kennedy Krieger Institute. As the founding director of the nationally-recognized Ivymount School Autism Program, she has practiced since 1992.

She is on the Board of Directors for the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) (www.asatonline.org) and an Advisory Council Member of Parents of Autistic Children – Northern Virginia Chapter (POAC-NoVa). She is past president of the Maryland Association for Behavior Analysis (MABA) and served on the Virginia Statewide Autism Planning Council. She has been an invited speaker at numerous local and international conferences and parent groups. Dr. Barbin has provided supervision for individuals seeking to become licensed psychologists and board certified behavior analysts. Her professional interests include factors related to successful consultation and quality services, creating independence for learners with autism, and severe behavior disorders.

For more information about Dr. Jane Barbin and the consultative services of Behavioral Directions, LLC visit www.behavioraldirections.com.

Behavioral Directions, LLC in Herndon, Fairfax County, VA is a consulting firm of Board Certified Behavior Analysts and psychological professionals with extensive experience serving individuals with autism spectrum disorders, challenging behaviors and related developmental disabilities using Applied Behavior Analysis. All providers are Board Certified Behavior Analysts. Behavioral Directions, LLC provides assessment and intervention services in home, school and community settings with a commitment to using only science-based autism treatment procedures. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a methodology supported by over 40 years of research and based on principles of learning is utilized. Skinner’s Analysis of Verbal Behavior, to promote communication and other skills, is emphasized in service delivery. Quality services and programming is highly valued at Behavioral Directions, LLC.

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