News release:
FABA Members Gather in Daytona Beach for Annual Conference

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jon Bailey
E-mail: bailey@psy.fsu.edu
Phone: 850-877-6623 or 850 321-3186 (cell)

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – More than 1,000 educators, administrators, social workers, child psychologists, speech-language pathologists, business consultants, school psychologists, professionals in the area of developmental disabilities, behavior analysts, behavior therapists and more will gather for the 26th annual Florida Association for Behavior Analysis (FABA) conference at the Hilton Daytona Beach Ocean Walk Village, September 20-23.

The schedule includes presentations of breakthrough research on everything from improving child behavior to treatment of eating disorders, plus proven techniques for early Autism intervention.

The purpose of the gathering is for professionals in the field to exchange ideas and discuss new applications that can transform families, businesses, government programs and more.

"Behavior Analysis" is a science-based, effective approach for training teachers, parents and caregivers how to prevent and solve serious behavior problems. While numerous alternative treatments for solving the age-old problem of behavior operate on theories, Behavior Analysis uses methods that allow outcomes to be measured. By accumulating data for comparison, Behavior Analysts are able to produce significant results, transforming classrooms, businesses, family life, rehabilitation and therapy settings and numerous other environments.

"Behavior Analysts think about human behavior differently than do most other human service professionals," says FABA president Kevin Murdock, Ph.D. "We focus on the actual behavior as it is presented, rather than looking at the behavior as a symptom of some deeper, underlying problem. We assume that these observed behaviors are learned and are maintained in the individual's natural environment. Although we are often presented with complex behavioral issues of unknown origin, our strategy is always to use data and proceed systematically."

The typical behavior analyst is part clinician, part detective and part scientist, says Jon Bailey, Ph.D., co-author of the book, "How to Think Like a Behavior Analyst. "If more people knew the basic principles of behavior, they would lead happier, less stressful lives."

If they could analyze the behavior of people around them and determine some of the reasons for their actions, that gives them some sense of understanding, he adds. "They can then use that knowledge to improve their own behavior and subtly influence the behavior of their roommates, partner, spouse, family member, annoying relative or office mate."

The ranges of subjects covered in the four-day conference best illustrate the applications of Behavior Analysis in society.

  • Talks at the FABA conference will include "how to," such as:
  • Increasing the Health Related Behaviors of Young Adults
  • Teaching At-risk Infants and Toddlers to Talk: Implications for the Prevention of Autism
  • The Biggest Loser: Increasing Exercising to Promote Weight Loss and Health in a Consumer with Down’s Syndrome

There will also be presentations on research findings. Titles include:

  • Analyzing the Effects of Performance Management Interventions on Employee Behavior at a Private Airport
  • Road Warriors: an Analysis of the Behaviors of Automobile Drivers and Interventions to Improve Their Safety

Practical applications for businesses in the area of Organizational Behavior Management will be offered through talks such as:

  • Improving Customer Service and Greeting at a Car Dealership
  • The Use of a Descriptive Assessment and Assessment-based Intervention An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Product Sampling Procedures

The Keynote Speaker at Thursday's lunch is Dennis D. Embry, Ph.D., president of the PAXIS Institute, Inc. (www.paxis.org), who is recognized internationally for his work designing, testing and disseminating effective large-scale educational campaigns to increase school and community safety, child safety, family well-being and health. He counts among his clients DuPont, IBM, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and several foreign governments.

His work has been publicized in major national media: the Today Show, Good Morning America, Life magazine, People magazine, US News and World Report, the LA Times, Washington Post and various wire services.

Information on registration, presentations and speakers is available through the complete, 75-page conference program, which is available for download online at: www.fabaworld.org.

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NOTE TO MEDIA: For additional information, or to secure press passes to any of the conference presentations and events, please contact: Jon Bailey, PhD, via e-mail: bailey@psy.fsu.edu or phone: 850-877-6623 or 850 321-3186 (cell). Our consumer-friendly website, www.behaviorcanchange.com will be available after September 15.