Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Trinity College Dublin. Course Information Booklet

Transcription

1 Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Behaviour Analysis Trinity College Dublin Course Information Booklet (Last Updated: 4 th May, 2012) 1

2 APPLIED BEHAVIOUR ANALYSIS (P. Grad. Dip) Course Code: TRT83 Duration: One year, full-time Closing Date: 30 June 2012 (Late applications may be accepted if space is available) Application: Applications for this course should be made online through Course Director: Dr Kristen Maglieri Telephone: (Michelle Kelly) Url: INTRODUCTION The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Behaviour Analysis is a 9-month postgraduate course open to those with an undergraduate honours degree in Psychology or related Human Service field (Teaching, Education, Nursing, Speech and Language Therapy, Social Care, nursing, Social Work, etc.). The course provides training in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) for professionals who work with persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, developmental and intellectual disabilities, children or adolescents in care or persons presenting with behavioural challenges. This course is also appropriate for individual wanting to start a career in ABA. The Post-Graduate Diploma in ABA was developed in response to a strong community demand for professionals with advanced training in ABA. This course covers the primary and essential methodologies and tactics within the field of ABA and draws from the expertise of a range of senior-level behaviour analysts practicing within and outside of Ireland. This allows students to begin to develop a sound and broad foundation of behaviour analytic practice that is grounded in research. This course does not propose a single or particular approach within ABA. Students are taught to apply the principles of behaviour analysis to a variety of clients with a range of difficulties. Students who complete the P. Grad Diploma in ABA (or postgraduate coursework equivalent to the PG Dip) are then eligible to apply for the Trinity College MSc in ABA/Psychology. OVERALL AIM & OUTCOMES The objective of this intense course is to establish and develop the student s academic competence and professional knowledge in the application of behaviour analysis to a variety of populations in a variety of settings. This is achieved through a combination of academic and experiential components in conjunction with supervised professional practice. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. has approved this course sequences as meeting the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Behaviour Analysis certification exam at the assistant level (i.e., BCaBA ). Please see for certification information. Students are not, however, required to take the Board certification exam as part of the course. (Please note; the P. Grad Dip in ABA provides only part of supervision required to be eligible to sit the board exam). The focus of this course is on theory and related practices of the primary approaches and methods in ABA. Every student must therefore be simultaneously engaged in a placement during the course to ensure that knowledge and skills being learned in the classroom are transferred to the real world. Supervision of practical application must be carried out by a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA ) to ensure that procedures are carried out in a manner consistent with ethical practice. 2

3 COURSE CONTENT AND CURRICULUM The purpose of this course is to provide content in major behaviour analytic task areas as outlined by the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board. It aims to ensure that students become proficient in the practical application of the basic principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis. The postgraduate diploma consists of 6 taught modules and one supervised clinical practice module. The modules include: 1. Definitions, characteristics and principles of behaviour analysis 2. Ethics in ABA 3. Selecting, defining, and measuring behaviour 4. Behavioural Assessment 5. Behavioural intervention, measurement, and evaluation I 6. Behavioural intervention, measurement, and evaluation II 7. Supervised clinical practice Required textbooks 1. Cooper, J., Heron, T. and Heward, W. (2007) Applied Behavior Analysis. Pearson Prentice-Hall College Division. 2. Paul A, & Troutman, A. (2009) Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers (8th Edition). Pearson Prentice-Hall Course Structure Classes are conducted on a weekday every other week (Thursday from 10.00am-5.50pm) and on one Saturday per month. Taught modules run from the end of September to the end of June. Students engage in supervised clinical practice with a privately contracted BCBA approximately 1 hour every 2 to 3 weeks. ASSESSMENT Students are assessed through a variety of methods which include: a) in-class tests and quizzes b) a final exam c) a comprehensive case work project which includes practical and written work d) journal summary and a literature review e) oral presentations f) mid-term and end of the year supervised placement evaluation Students also receive continuous feedback through their regular supervision sessions and participation in class activities. Supervised Practice/Placement Securing a Placement Students are required to work or volunteer in a placement that allows them to engage in behaviour analytic practice for at least 15 hours per week. This placement must be secured prior to applying to the course. For many incoming students, their current work setting is already an appropriate placement (e.g., classroom, residential facility, etc.). The Trinity ABA course does not canvas placements on behalf of the students; however, we can send you a list of sites that have accommodated our students in the past. Your placement does not have to be located in Dublin. You must discuss the requirements of the course with your placement and confirm that they agree to support you in completing the requirements prior to applying to the course. Offers of acceptance onto the course may be provided without confirmation of a placement, but will be considered provisional until an appropriate placement has been secured. Acceptable Placements Acceptable placements include, but are not limited to, ABA schools, Irish special, primary and secondary national 3

4 schools, Autism units in national schools, language centres, playschools, provision of home tuition, private and HSE-funded residential settings, group homes, or other human-service settings across Ireland. Placement sites are not expected to currently use ABA specific methodologies and tactics, although that is helpful. Mainstream or special classes, group homes, intellectual disability services, and care services are all appropriate settings for ABA trainees. However, non-aba facilities must agree to let you implement behaviour analytic techniques for at least 15 hours per week and allow supervision to occur (see supervision section below). Supervised Practice While on the course, all fieldwork must be supervised by a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). You will contract privately with a BCBA for supervision and that supervision will occur at times arranged by you and your supervisor. Supervision will begin in November and will continue throughout the duration of the courseapproximatly one hour every 2 to 3 weeks. Students are required to secure at least 15 hours of supervision with their BCBA while enrolled on the course, however more is recommended. Please note; individual supervision costs are not included in the tuition. The course does not arrange supervision with your BCBA, however we can send you a list of supervisors who have provided supervision to our students in the past. Alternatively, you can visit bacb.com (certificant registry) to locate a list of practicing BCBA supervisors in Ireland. The cost of supervision is based on the market rate and can range from around 55 to 85 per hour. The Nature of Supervision During supervision, your BCBA supervisor will assist and support you in carrying out the course requirements, specifically they will provide guidance on carrying out ethical and effective behavior analytic interventions. The primary focus of supervision is on teaching behaviour analytic skills related to the BACB Third Edition Task List (see bacb.com for details). The role of the supervisor is to support you in learning the course content. The supervisor does not provide recommendations to your facility or suggest changes to the structure of the programmes unless the management of your placement specifically solicits that information. Supervision sessions can be carried out during face-to-face office visits, face-to-face placement visits, by phone or via webcam. These sessions must be done on a one-to-one basis, and not in a group session. The goal of supervision is to ensure that you are able to competently carry out the procedures discussed in class in your clinical settings. Supervisor Placement Visits We recommend that you arrange for your supervisor to visit your placement site as often a possible, but at least once while you are on the course. You will need to get permission from your placement to allow your supervisor to make site visits to your placement. If your placement does not allow this, you will need to find another placement that will facilitate supervisor visits. If your supervisor is not able to visit your site frequently, we suggest that you send your supervisor videotaped footage of you engaging in behaviour analytic activity with your client. Although this is a very effective way to carry out supervision sessions, not all placements will allow video recording. If your placement will not allow this, you do not have to find another placement, it just means that you can t video record. Please note; the course requirements for supervision differ slightly from what the BACB regards as supervision. As such, supervision must comply with the BACB guidelines for supervision for those hours to count toward certification (see bacb.com for more details). Guidelines from the BACB regarding supervision: Nature of Supervision: The supervisor must observe the applicant engaging in behavior analytic activities in the natural environment at least once every two weeks. The supervisor must provide specific feedback to applicants on their performance. During the initial half of the total experience hours, observation should concentrate on applicant-client interactions. This observation may be conducted via web-cameras, videotape, videoconferencing, or similar means in lieu of the supervisor being physically present. Supervision may be conducted in small groups of 10 or fewer participants for no more than half of the total supervised hours in each supervisory 4

5 period. The remainder of the total supervision hours in each supervisory period must consist of direct one-to-one contact. Supervision hours may be counted toward the total number of experience hours required. Group Supervision A group supervisor will be assigned to each student at the start of the academic year. Group supervision sessions will occur during already scheduled class time, approximately once per month. The group supervisor will meet with approximately 5-6 students at one time to discuss their progress on the course. This group session provides another opportunity for the student to receive feedback and additional teaching. The group supervisor will monitor student progress and provide support as needed. Group supervision is provided as part of the course tuition. ADMISSIONS Course Code: TRT83 Duration: One year, full-time o Applicants must hold an honours degree in psychology or related area, e.g. social care, education/teaching, speech and language therapy, nursing, with at least a second-class award or equivalent. o Employment or volunteer placement in a health, education or human service setting allowing for at least 15 contact hours per week (this placement must be secured prior to applying to the course). o Experience in ABA is desired but is not essential. Applications: Course closing Date: 30 June 2012 (late applications may be accepted if space is available) For general details on how to apply for this course at Trinity College, go to - To apply go to - The TCD online application system will ask you to provide: o Your personal history o Education and Qualifications o Experience o Additional Information (questions pertaining to funding) o Personal statement (please include under additional information ) o References (one academic and one work-related if possible) o Declaration Please upload the following documents under Declaration Transcripts (of your results) (non-trinity College Dublin applicant; applicants who have not graduated must send in their transcript when it is issued) Birth certificate (non-trinity College Dublin applicant) English language competency (if necessary) Supplemental Application Form (this is an additional required application form for this course only) Placement Confirmation Form (this is an additional required application form for this course only) Application Review All applications will be reviewed after the course application date has closed. Applications that do not contain all the necessary application materials will not be reviewed (this does not include transcripts that have not been issued). Your application status and decisions will be provided via the PAC systems. 5

6 Course Fees: Course Fees for 2012/2013 EU applicants: 7,500 Non-EU applicants: 9,250 *Supervision Costs: Supervision costs are separate and are in addition to the course fee. Supervision fees are paid directly to your contracted supervisor. Students must secure and maintain membership in a relevant professional organisation, e.g. the Psychological Society of Ireland or Applied Behavior Analysis International, and must carry student or professional liability insurance throughout the duration of the course. IMPORTANT: Please consult information about eligibility for admission as an EU/Non-EU student and note that EU applicants must satisfy specific requirements to be deemed eligible for EU fee status. After graduation: Graduates of this course find employment as behaviour specialists in a variety of areas across Ireland and abroad. Some graduates use this course to up-skill and then continue to work in their previous job as teachers, tutors, or nurses for example. Other graduates take up new employment as behaviour specialist in residential facilities and preschools or special needs assistants in autism units and special school. Other graduates have moved abroad and now work as behaviour specialist in educational settings in the UK and Canada. Professional Presentations: Graduates of the ABA courses present their work at National and International ABA conferences. Tolan, C. & Maglieri, K (May 2011) A comparison of Sensory Integration Therapy and Noncontingent Matched Stimulation on Automatically-Maintained Behavior. Paper presented at the Association of Behavior Analysis International annual conference, Denver, CO. O Neill, C. & Maglieri, K (May 2011) The Effects of Response Interruption and Redirection with and without Response Cost on Vocal Stereotypy. Paper presented at the Association of Behavior Analysis International annual conference, Denver, CO, USA. Dundon, N. & Maglieri, K. (May 2011) Promoting Social Interactions Between Children with Autism and Typically Developing Peers in Primary Classrooms. Paper presented at the Association of Behavior Analysis International annual conference, Denver, CO, USA. O Neill, C. & Maglieri, K (April 2011) The Effects of Response Interruption and Redirection with and without Response Cost on Vocal Stereotypy. Paper presented at the Psychological Society of Ireland, Division of Behaviour Analysis conference, Dublin, Ireland. Barry, M & Maglieri, K (May 2010). Teaching children with autism to tolerate denied access to reinforcers using parents as therapist. Tolan, C. & Maglieri, K (2009) The Effects of Response Interruption and Redirection with and without Response Cost on Vocal Stereotypy. Paper presented at the Association of Behavior Analysis International annual conference, San Antonio, TX. Gormley, L & Maglieri, K. (May 2009) Treating Food-related Packing Behaviour in a Child with Autism. Poster presented at the Poster presented at the 35 th annual conference of the Association for Behavior Analysis International annual conference, San Antonio, TX. Course Director The P. Grad Dip in ABA is directed by Dr. Kristen Maglieri. Biographical Sketch: Dr. Kristen Maglieri is currently an Assistant Professor in the School of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin and is also the Course Director of the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Dr. Maglieri also teaches and supervises on the MSc in ABA courses. Dr. Maglieri received her B.A. in Psychology from West Virginia University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology, with an emphasis in behaviour analysis, from the University of Nevada Reno. During her career, Kristen has worked as a behavioural specialist and consultant for several agencies including; the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD, the Nevada Centre for Severe Behaviour Problems and BEST Consulting in Reno, NV. Dr. Maglieri also has expertise in industry, specialising in behaviour-based safety and compensation systems. Kristen has worked as a behavioural safety consultant for the Centre for 6

7 Behavioral Safety Research and an organizational consultant for a National Charter School in Reno, NV, and a project manager for Abernathy and Associates in Memphis, TN. Dr. Maglieri has published in several leading behaviour analytic journals including The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavioral Interventions, Research in Developmental Disabilities, The Behavior Analyst Today, and The Journal of Organizational Behavior Management. She currently serves on the board of editors for Behavior Analysis in Practice. Her primary research interests include assessment and treatment of challenging behaviour, feeding disorders, verbal behaviour, employee performance, and compensation systems. Course Contact: aba.course@tcd.ie Telephone: (Michelle Kelly) Url: Please Michelle Kelly or Dr. Kristen Maglieri if you have any questions about the course. Frequently Asked Questions 1. Do I have to have a psychology degree to do the course? No, a degree in a human-service related field is okay for acceptance onto the course. Prior work experience with clinical populations may be substitutable for lack of a human-service related degree. 2. Do I have to secure a placement prior to applying? Yes, we would like all applicants to secure their placements prior to applying. A firm offer of acceptance cannot be extended from the Dean of Graduate Studies until a placement has been confirmed. Your placement confirmation form must be returned. the course if you are having difficulty finding a placement. 3. Do I have to live in Dublin to do the course? No, our students travel from across the country on class days. You do, however, need to live in Ireland. 4. Do I need to find a BCBA supervisor before I apply? No, the course will help you find a BCBA supervisor after classes start. 5. I don t graduate until August, can I still apply? Yes, you can apply. Once your transcript is sent to the Graduate Studies Office, a final decision on your application will be made. 6. Can I complete this course while I m completing my undergraduate degree? No, you need to have completed your undergraduate degree to gain acceptance onto the course. 7. Do I need to find a placement that is different from my current job? If you work in a human-service area, then mostly likely the answer is no. However, if your current employer will not let your BCBA supervisor complete site visits or if they won t allow you to implement behaviour-analytic assessments and interventions, than you would need to secure another placement. 8. I have a lot of experience in ABA. Can I skip the Diploma course and apply to the MSc course? No, not unless you have already done the required postgraduate coursework in behaviour analysis through a university that is similar to the coursework required for the P. Grad. Dip. Additionally, you need to complete the required coursework from the Diploma and the Master s course to be eligible to sit the board certification exam at the BCBA level. 9. Do I need letters of recommendation? Yes, you need two. One academic and one work-related are preferred. If you have been out of school for some time, two work-related references are okay. 10. Are there grants available for this course? Grants may be available for this course. Irish applicants should contact your local county council about Higher Education Grants. 7

8 11. Do you accept Non-EU students? Yes. If you are an international application, please contact the course directly so we can assist you. You can also contact the TCD International Office for information at International students should contact the course about securing a placement. 12. When do I find out if I ve been accepted? Applications will be reviewed once the course has closed. You should be informed of a decision 3-4 weeks after the closing date. Please the course if you have further questions. 8