Principal Investigator(s):
Noor Syed, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Lauren Lestremau Allen Ph.D., and others
Grant Type:
Applied Research
Funding:
50,000
Organization:
SUNY Empire State University
Year Awarded:
2025
Status:
In Progress
Location:
Albany, New York
Topics:
Social and Communication Skills; Miscellaneous
Abstract
While ABA is an evidenced-based and cost-effective therapy for autistic individuals, it has also been criticized as antithetical to a neurodiversity perspective. ABA includes in its central tenets respect for personal liberties, ethical, compassionate and affirming care. An assent-based approach embodies compassionate and affirming care; however, despite the growing emphasis on these principles within the behavior-analytic profession, limited empirical evidence exists to support its use. Although consent is a legal requirement for accessing services or participating in research, assent, which reflects an individual’s agreement to participate, is a human right that is often overlooked for individuals with disabilities, particularly for younger individuals and individuals who require higher levels of support. Much of the discussion related to assent in ABA has been conceptual; we have not yet empirically investigated how to teach and assess the efficacy of assent-based practices. Therefore, the proposed two-phased mixed-method project aims to a) develop a community-informed assent-based ABA approach and training with feedback from Autistic and Neurodivergent participants and b) teach this approach to DSPs, measuring the effect of this training on DSP responsivity to assent and assent-withdrawal behaviors for Learners who they support. We will further assess indices of happiness with Learners and socal communication outcomes via objective measures.
