Applied Behavior Analysis and Child Life Programs

The Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE-SCJ) Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Fellowship program was designed to provide selected fellows from the College of Psychology and the Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice the opportunity to complete ABA coursework while accruing hours towards ABA certification, thus immediately bridging theory to practice. In Summer 2023, our second fellow, Jacqueline Molino, began her journey at the Baudhuin Preschool and her pursuit of a Master of Science in Developmental Disabilities.  Ms. Molino will continue her supervised experiential learning through the ABA Fellowship and has advanced from her role as a teacher aide to the role of classroom teacher for the 2024-2025 academic school year.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) approved the renewal of Verified Course Sequence (VCS) status for the FCE-SCJ master’s and doctoral concentrations in ABA.  This recognition establishes that completers of our ABA sequences will meet the coursework requirements for certification established and enforced by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).  In addition to meeting ABAI VCS requirements, the ABA concentration core and adjunct faculty have contributed to the field of behavior analysis by publishing peer reviewed articles and presenting at local and national conferences:

 

  • Chung, J., Ocanto, R., Sheehan, T., & Taylor, M. (2024). Examining the Impact of Sugar Intake on Autism Post-Covid.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the National Oral Health Conference, St. Louis, MO.
  • Maurilus, E. N., & Greer, R. D. (2024). The effect of the establishment of preference for math on rate of learning for pre-kindergarten students. Behavior and Social Issues. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42822-024-00164-7
  • Polly, A. (2024). From Clinic to Classroom:  Building Bridges for Transition to Kindergarten.  Workshop presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Sheehan, T. (2023). Culturally Responsive Behavior Analysis Practice.  Paper presented at the biannual meeting of the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis Multicultural Special Interest Group, Virtual.
  • Sheehan, T., Padilla, O., & Chung, J. (2023). Effective Behavior Planning to Increase Access to Care for Challenging Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Oral Health Conference, Orlando, FL.
  • Taylor, M., Eischen, K.O., Chung, J., Levi-Minzi, M., Ocanto, R., & Sheehan, T. (2023).  Pediatric Perception of Females Diagnosed with ASD in a Pediatric Dental Clinic Compared to the Current Literature.  Poster presented at the semi-annual Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health research day, Virtual.

 

Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference.

 

The FCE-SCJ would like to recognize the collaboration among members of FCE-SCJ administration, the Baudhuin Preschool, the Kapila Family Foundation Starting Right Program, and ABA concentration faculty in submitting a proposal to the Robert E. Dooley Trust NSU Center for Autism Endowment Fund.  The proposed innovative project is designed to extend support to families of children with autism spectrum disorder by providing training on proactive and reactive behavior strategies utilizing human-powered artificial intelligence (AI) sessions.

The FCE-SCJ received pre-approval status for the undergraduate and graduate concentrations in Child Life from the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) in 2021 and 2022 respectively. This pre-approval guarantees that completers of our Child Life concentration will meet the coursework requirements for Child Life Specialist (CLS) certification and be prepared to provide support to ease emotional trauma, decrease stress and anxiety, and increase the health-related education of children and their families.  In order to continue this important academic training and clinical need, the FCE-SCJ has submitted for preapproval renewal, and is currently under consideration of the ACLP.