Newsletter
Volume 30 | 2007 | Number 2
Texas ABA
By Dr. Leslie Burkett
The mission of TxABA has been to promote behavior analysis to the public and provide an outlet for professional development for persons practicing behavior analysis in and around Texas. The primary activity of TxABA is to provide the annual conference where such renowned speakers as Michael Fabrizio, Kathleen Piazza, Janet Ellis, Richard Smith, Gina Green, and Richard Foxx. The annual events usually see 350-400 individuals eager to network with other behavior analysts, and the 2007 conference marked our first ever “TxABA-Palooza” event where, The Operant Lab band from The University of North Texas provided live entertainment. In addition, this conference marked the first “Basic” track to bring the number of presentation tracks to three. TxABA is quite proud of its continued efforts to promote behavior analysis and to provide its members with beneficial opportunities for growth. In addition, TxABA is also actively involved in monitoring legislative activities related to Behavior analysis. 2007 has been an extremely active year for our Texas legislature, and that activity could prove to be extremely beneficial for behavior analysts in Texas as well as those clients served. More specifically, two bills have been put forth and are being debated. One bill would afford families of children with autism medical insurance funding for ABA services, and the other will potentially provide vouchers for families of children with special needs to use federal funds toward payment for private placement in programs that are behaviorally analytic in nature. TxABA will be excited to report on the progress of both these bills in the future. TxABA plans to continue its efforts to promote behavior analysis in Texas by expanding the annual conference, updating our Website to provide more information for members, and to provide more resources for the community at large. For more information, please visit our Website at http://www.unt.edu/behv.