Explorations of Conceptualizations of Disability in Applied Behavior Analysis

• In Event: Access to Service and Integrated Care

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to describe how Board-Certified Behavior Analysts conceptualize ability while working with healthcare, public schooling, caregivers, and implementing state initiatives like the Lanterman Act for individuals with developmental disabilities. This case study employs semi structured interviews and content analysis to explicate how diverse institutional and cultural perspectives of ability/disability are involved in service provision and programming creation in Applied Behavior Analysis. The significance of this study is to include conceptual analysis of definitions of disability in service provision of ABA, and to increase academic dialogue between counseling research and Disabilities Studies in Education.

Key words: Behavioral Health Treatment, Lanterman Act, Disability Rights, Disabilities Studies, Counseling, Behavior Analysis, Intervention Design

Author

• Julienne Mackey, California State University - Los Angeles