Newsletter
Volume 28 | 2005 | Number 3
Wisconsin ABA: Professionalism the Main Goal
By Corrine Donley, Ed.D.
The newly formed Wisconsin Association for Behavior Analysis (WABA) supports the science and practice of behavior analysis. As a science, behavior analysis seeks to discover the environmental determinants of behavior and as a practice, seeks to enhance client behavior through environmental interventions that are designed by competent behavior analysts in accord with the client’s capabilities, the research literature, the ethical principles and the law, the initials causes of the behavior, and behavioral measures collected before, during, and after the intervention. Wherever feasible these interventions use positive reinforcement to promote behavior that benefits the client immediately and in the future. To achieve these objectives the association supports various activities, including: discussing problems and exchanging information among professionals, students, and the general public; and formally recognizing the practice of behavior analysis as a profession.
In order to begin to fulfill WABA’s mission, the chapter has been collaborating with the State of Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services (WDHHS) Early Autism Program (WEAP) to promote and clarify the professional role of behavior analysts in that program. In response to the governor’s statement that to his knowledge applied behavior analysis (ABA) is effective for only young children, members have presented the director of the WDHHS with a position statement. Concerning the broad definition of applied behavior analysis, the statement clarifies ABA’s effectiveness with persons who display autistic charactistics across all ages. In addition, with the support of numerous Wisconsin parents of children with autism, WABA has asked that professionals with all types of terminal degrees in ABA be accepted as providers in WEAP. WABA has continued to indicate interest in the WEAP program and hopes to have representation on the Governor’s Council for Autism in the future.
Several WABA members will make presentations to increase awareness of the science of behavior analysis at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Special Education Conference in February 1996, where WABA will hold its general meeting. There are plans for a WABA conference in 2006 or 2007, the site to be determined. In an effort to promote communication, WABA maintains a list-serve for members.
This fall brings a membership drive to Wisconsin and WABA would like all behavior analysts to spread the word that anyone eligible for any category of membership in ABA is welcome to join. Please contact the membership chair, William Murray.