Abstract: Do you work with humans? If so, you should attend this talk. All humans are prone to engaging in some sexual and/or sociosexual behaviors, and these can occur within norms or outside of such across the entire lifespan. In this 4-CEU workshop, we will explore the BACB (2020) Code of Ethics that went into effect in 2022 and actively apply it in generalized ways toward best practices in sexology and sexuality-based care. There will be some delving into the darker history of ABA, exploring overlaps with conversion therapy and the notion that ABA can be abusive; also, there will be an overview of positive sexuality-focused impacts ABA has had over the years. The "work" in this workshop will be that of small group exercises designed to take the instruction and demonstrate how it has shaped critical thinking skills regarding sexual and sociosexual behaviors that may show up in common behavior-analytic practice settings, such as schools, group homes, or the community.
Objectives:
1) Attendees will apply the BACB ethical framework toward general sexological principles of best practice, to include: autonomy; consent; self-determination; expression.
2) Attendees will review recent literature surrounding disability care settings & clinical practice, pertaining to sexual and/or sociosexual behaviors and motivations.
3) Attendees will look at and discern between ethical and unethical historical applications of ABA into areas of sexual and/or sociosexual behaviors, and will consider how internal biases may have impacted the clinical ideologies as to what was "intervention worthy".
4) Attendees will gain exposure to an applicable methodology by which ethical decision-making can be clarified regarding the onset of specific sexual behaviors in contextually-inappropriate settings.
5) Attendees will demonstrate logical application of the ethical framework from Objective 1 and proposed decision-making model from Objective 4 by selecting next steps in detailed hypotheticals that are likely to mirror real-life scenarios surrounding sociosexual behaviors.
6) Attendees will demonstrate logical application of the ethical framework from Objective 1 and proposed decision-making model from Objective 4 by selecting next steps in detailed hypotheticals that are likely to mirror actual practice and real-life scenarios surrounding sexual behaviors.
7) Attendees will review a tool for determining levels of competency surrounding sexuality-based concepts that can be in-scope for behavior analysts and will discern whether or not they would like to apply this in their own clinical setting/s.
8) Attendees will review a tool for determining whether an agency is following best sexological practices across services, recognizing that the systemic environment is one with many variables that can shape client behaviors, ranging from staff behavior to accessibility of resources, and will discern whether or not they would like to apply this toward their own agencies and/or those for whom they consult.