Using telehealth to remotely train staff in behaviour analytic techniques has become an increasingly popular method of providing services to support autistic individuals and their families. This systematic literature review has identified studies which utilised this platform to remotely train staff across the education, health and social care sectors. In total, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria to be included in the review. Training was provided to 101 participants across a variety of vocational backgrounds (e.g. behaviour analysts, speech and language therapists and teachers). Multiple training methods were utilised, most commonly these involved techniques found in the Behaviour Skills Training package, such as modelling of skills, opportunities for rehearsal and the provision of feedback. The training provided was effective at increasing trainee capabilities in conducting behaviour analytic assessments (e.g. functional analyses) and skill teaching (e.g. strategies to increase social communication). However, despite most research being viewed favourably by trainees and meeting minimum quality standards, it should be considered as in its infancy. Many gaps do exist, especially around international culturally diverse demonstrations of effectiveness. By investigating such applications and filling these gaps, future researchers can begin to explore the true potential telehealth has in reducing global inequalities in evidence-based services.
Elopement is a dangerous form of challenging behavior that presents unique challenges to assessment and treatment. To address some of these challenges, our team created a specialized Elopement Space consisting of two session rooms connected by a hallway and monitored via cameras and one-way windows. This space allows for safe assessment and treatment of elopement while minimizing confounding variables and elopement risk via security measures. In this paper, we describe the specifications of this space, discuss a case study of elopement conducted within it, and discuss implications and additional considerations for practitioners, researchers, and healthcare systems in the design of spaces for the safe and effective treatment of elopement. Although such a space may be niche for particular service providers (e.g., those who assess and treat severe elopement regularly), the aim of this paper is to provide a thorough description of the space as a potential resource for these types of service providers.
This study explores a novel application of antecedent-behavior functional analysis procedures to hair-pulling behavior associated with trichotillomania maintained by automatic negative reinforcement. Researchers have conceptualized hair pulling as a form of experiential avoidance serving to alleviate aversive private events emanating from negative self-talk and inner dialogue. Building on prior research involving binge eating and covert self-statements, this study investigates whether negative private verbal behavior may evoke hair pulling, while positive self-statements may inhibit it or show no impact. Using an alternating treatments design, we conducted remote sessions involving exposure to pre-recorded negative self-statements (test condition) and positive self-statements (control condition). We measured hair-pulling frequency and manipulation of non-pulled hairs, alongside participant-reported emotional states before and after sessions. Although we only observed hair pulling across three of eight participants, with only one participant demonstrating a small effect between negative self-statements and hair pulling, this study offers insight into how private events can be systematically evaluated in the context of functional analysis methodology. The findings highlight both the challenges and potential benefits of integrating covert verbal behavior into behavior-analytic assessments and interventions for individuals experiencing treatment-resistant, automatically maintained behavior influenced by private antecedent events. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.
Burnout, compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and attrition represent significant and growing challenges in applied behavior analysis. These challenges all collectively impact practitioner well-being, yet strategies to support such well-being initiatives have received limited systematic attention in the behavior-analytic literature. In this discussion, I posit that the concept of self-compassion represents an important gap in supporting practitioner well-being. Self-compassion, as defined by Neff, includes three interrelated components: (1) responding to personal suffering with kindness rather than self-judgment, (2) recognizing struggle as part of the shared human condition, and (3) maintaining balanced awareness of difficult emotions. Across health, education, and psychology fields, self-compassion has demonstrated strong empirical support as a protective factor against burnout, emotional exhaustion, anxiety, experiential avoidance, and compassion fatigue. Drawing on Neff’s model and translating its components into behavior-analytic terms grounded in radical behaviorism, relational frame theory, and acceptance and commitment training, in this article, I describe a conceptual foundation for self-compassion within applied behavior analysis, propose a four-component training framework, and offer directions for future research.
Behavior analysis has a long history of using nonhuman animals in basic research, classroom teaching, and applied practice, yet discipline-specific guidance for competent and ethical animal work remains limited. This paper reviews historical and contemporary trends in animal use within behavior analysis, including the decline of traditional animal laboratories, growing interest in invertebrate models, and expansion of behavior-analytic work into homes, shelters, zoos, and other applied settings. We argue that although behavioral principles are broadly applicable, competence in animal work requires more than general behavior-analytic training. In the absence of integrated guidance for developing and evaluating that competence, behavior analysts may face serious risks to animal welfare, human safety, the relationship between behavior analysis and the broader animal behavior community, and the field’s ability to advance a comprehensive science of behavior. In response, we propose a set of six minimum standards for animal-focused work in behavior analysis: (1) interdisciplinary knowledge of animal behavior, (2) species-specific knowledge, (3) skill fluency, (4) ethical conduct, (5) safe practices, and (6) appropriate mentorship strategies. A practical self-assessment tool accompanies these standards to help professionals determine their scope of competence. We hope these standards initiate a needed conversation about what is required to work with animals competently in behavior analysis and support the development of guidelines as structured, explicit, and carefully maintained as those established for human-focused work.
