Achievable New Habits for the New Year

Original Air Date: January 19, 2022

CEU offered: 1.0 Learning CEU

Webinar Duration: 90 minutes

CE Instructors:

  • Thea H. Davis, BCBA, LABA
  • Jonathan Mueller
  • Rebecca Giammatti, MS, BCBA, LBA-CT
  • Naa Ameley Garrido, BCBA, LBS 


Abstract:

The past couple of years have been extremely challenging both professionally and personally. This panel of CASP leaders will share achievable strategies to start the new year off right.

Atomic Habits and Grit-The Perfect Combination
Thea H. Davis BCBA LABA

How are books that use our technology becoming New York Times Bestsellers like Atomic Habits by James Clear and Grit by Angela Duckworth?  Simple- target behaviors that matter to the readers are the focus, and they will affect readers’ lives in a positive way. Listen in and discuss how these books have our behavioral principles peppered and applied throughout the pages. Reinforcement, Ratio Strain, Fixed Intervals, Response Effort, Self-Management, Response Maintenance, and more… They are right there if you look closely enough.

  • Participants will be able to translate key concepts regarding habit development and perseverance into behavioral language
  • Participants will be able to identify three of the seven dimensions of applied behavior analysis that are found in habit formation and perseverance


The Power of Moments
Jonathan Mueller

Families living with autism deserve more than just the highest-quality treatment … they deserve the finest, elevated "customer experience."   In this presentation, you'll learn how world-class customer-oriented institutions like Disney and Ritz-Carlton move from transactional to authentic relationships. You'll understand why 'customer service' is about time well saved, whereas customer experience is about time well spent.  Want to know how people actually remember their experience with you? The "Peak End" equation explains it—all with actionable insights you can put into practice tomorrow.

  • Participants will be able to name three things that underpin responsive relationships
  • Participants will be able to define the "Peak End" equation and why it's important


Organizational Mini Tune-Up: Inbox Zero and Other Strategies
Rebecca Giammatti, MS, BCBA, LBA-CT

A short case study and brief tutorial will be presented describing an effective strategy for achieving organization in your email box.

  • Participants will be able to identify the importance of an Email Management system in remaining accountable and following through on work commitments
  • Participants will be able to identify three strategies to keep up with an organized, efficient email system to improve the timeliness of administrative responsibilities.


Caring for Each Other is Caring for Ourselves
Naa Ameley Garrido, BCBA, LBS

The presentation will address how feeling overwhelmed can be addressed as a verbal operant through ACT. Additional emphasis will be placed on how the principles of Ubuntu align with our behavior analytic principles and some contingencies to consider this New Year. We will also discuss how to utilize reinforcement to learn, generalize, and maintain habits that maximize our efforts to care for each other and, in turn, care for ourselves.

  • Participants will learn the contingencies surrounding feeling overwhelmed
  • Participants will learn how the principle of Ubuntu and community aligns with ABA principles and our shared values
  • Participants will learn some contingencies to consider in the new year and how to use reinforcement to maintain positive habits surrounding caring for each other and ourselves in this new year

Instructor(s)

Naa Garrido, BCBA

Naa is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a state licensed Behavior Specialist who graduated with a BS in Health Education from East Carolina University and with an MS in Behavior Analysis from St. Joseph’s University. Mrs. Garrido specializes in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and has extensive experience with Autism Spectrum Disorder and challenging behaviors. She has provided years of consultation services to several families, public school districts, and private schools. Mrs. Garrido entered into the behavioral services field because of her love and passion for helping children and their families. She employs the ABA method in pursuit of using the best practices to transform behaviors and elevate expectations for your child’s future.

Rebecca Giammatti, MS, BCBA, LBA-CT

Rebecca Giammatti holds an M.S. in Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis from The Sage Colleges. She first started in the autism treatment field in 1999, and since then has enjoyed clinical experience in home, school, and center-based programs. Her particular clinical passion is the intensive ABA treatment of toddlers with autism. Rebecca is the Chief Clinical Officer and co-founder of Prism Autism Center, in Farmington, Guilford, and Berlin, CT. She has organizational memberships with CTABA and CASP, and is a member of BABAT, APBA, and BALC. Rebecca is currently an appointed member of CTABA Public Policy and Legislative Outreach Committee. She is devoted to working towards effective policies regarding insurance reimbursement for ABA services, especially with regard to compliance with the Mental Health Parity & Addiction Equity Act and the Affordable Care Act.

BCBA, LABA Thea Davis

Thea Davis is a specialist in providing intensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment for individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In 2007, Thea founded Autism Bridges in Bedford, NH, which was recently acquired by Autism Care Partners (ACP) in 2021. As the Executive Director of Autism Bridges, she oversaw more than 80 professionals who provide school, home, and community-based services, as well as four fully staffed clinics located in Portsmouth NH, Bedford, NH, Methuen MA, and Burlington, VT. Today, Thea serves as the Chief Clinical Officer of ACP and continues to oversee the Bridges’ division. Thea graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Master of Science in Education. She went on to receive her Board Certification in Behavior Analysis (BCBA) and is currently completing her dissertation for a Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis at Simmons University.