Role-Specific Guidance for Ethical and Effective Use of Artificial Intelligence in ABA Organizations

Short Title:  Role-Specific Guidance for Ethical and Effective Use of AI

Original Air Date: December 11, 2025

CEU offered: 1.5 BACB Learning CEU

Webinar Duration: 90 minutes

Instructors:

  • Alexandra Tomei, MEd, BCBA, LBA
  • Summer Gainey, PhD, LBA, BCBA-D
  • Melissa Olive, PhD, BCBA-LBA
  • David Cox, MSB, BCBA-D


Abstract:

As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become increasingly integrated into Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) practice, organizations face the challenge of ensuring ethical, effective, and role-appropriate implementation. This presentation provides a high-level overview of frameworks for scaling AI guidance across organizational levels—from Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) to clinical supervisors, directors, vice presidents, and C-suite leaders. Drawing on recent published literature, we outline practical recommendations tailored to each role, addressing competencies, decision-making responsibilities, and risk mitigation strategies. Attendees will learn how to embed AI literacy into clinical workflows, maintain compliance with ethical codes, and ensure measured change management during technology adoption. By the end of the session, participants will have actionable first steps to support their teams in exploring AI responsibly while safeguarding treatment quality and organizational integrity.

Learning Objectives

  1. Identify role-specific ethical and practical considerations for integrating AI tools in ABA organizations, from direct service providers (RBTs) to executive leadership, in accordance with the BACB Ethics Code and best-practice guidelines.
  2. Describe strategies for embedding AI literacy and decision-making frameworks into clinical workflows, ensuring treatment integrity and data-driven outcomes across organizational levels.
  3. Develop an action plan for fostering effectiveness and accountability during AI adoption, enabling open communication and risk mitigation among multidisciplinary teams.
  4. Analyze potential unintended consequences of AI implementation in ABA settings and outline proactive measures to safeguard client rights and treatment quality


Instructor(s)

Alexandra Tomei, MEd, BCBA, LBA

Alexandra is a dedicated professional with a passion for child and youth development with over 15 years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She has worked with small and large organizations and currently works to elevate standards of care and create pathways to clinical supports. In addition to her clinical work, Alexandra contributed significantly to the governance of a local K-12 charter school, serving on the board as secretary for 4 years. She has participated in the development of or directly authored published works in the topic areas of public policy, advocacy, treatment quality, school services, ethics, and artificial intelligence. In 2024, Alexandra was elected to a term on the COABA board and is currently serving as the Chair of the Professional Development Committee. She leads the committee in supporting opportunities for learning via webinars and fully running the annual conference. She also supports public policy initiatives in the state through the public policy committee and was part of the COABA public policy team that won the Autism Law Summit award for excellence in advocacy in 2023. Currently, Alexandra serves as the Director of Clinical Standards for BlueSprig. In this role, she collaborates across departments to establish clinical standards and operating procedures, ensuring that the organization delivers the highest quality clinical services to their clients and families. She coordinates all the clinical committees ensuring there are multiple psychologically safe pathways for support to any and all clinical needs and supports measurement and reporting on clinical outcomes. Alexandra also serves on CASP SIGs (including the AI Core Workgroup and leading the Ethics SIG), is a clinical quality help desk SME for NASQN, and serves as a public policy SME for APBA.

Summer Gainey, PhD, BCBA-D

Summer B. Gainey, PhD, LBA, BCBA-D, is a licensed behavior analyst and clinical leader with more than 28 years of experience in applied behavior analysis. She currently serves as Director of Outcomes at Above and Beyond Therapy, where she leads initiatives to strengthen data driven practices and improve measurable outcomes. Dr. Gainey has held leadership roles in many organizations and she is a former President of the Texas Association for Behavior Analysts. Her work spans clinical operations, quality assurance, staff development, and state and nationwide advocacy. She is serving as a gubernatorial appointee to the Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Advisory Council as an autism advocate and contributes to national workgroups on documentation and artificial intelligence. A former university lecturer and published researcher, Dr. Gainey remains committed to advancing ethical, individualized care that is both practical and evidence-based.

Chief Clinical Officer, Cultivate Melissa Olive, PhD, BCBA-D

Melissa Olive, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is the Executive Director of Applied Behavioral Strategies LLC. Prior to entering private practice, Missy spent 9 years conducting research and training special education teachers and behavior analysts at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Nevada, Reno. Missy currently serves as a Guest Reviewer for the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and the Review Journal on Autism and Developmental Disorders. She also served on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Early Intervention for 8 years, Topics in Early Childhood Special Education for 10 years, and Young Exceptional Children for 12 years. Missy has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters focusing on the assessment and treatment of challenging behaviors, communication intervention, feeding disorders, and ethical issues for behavior analysts. Prior to moving to CT, Missy served on the Executive Board as a Member at Large for the Division of Early Childhood, a sub-division of the Council for Exceptional Children. Missy also served as President of the Texas Council for Exceptional Children. After moving to CT, Missy first served as a Member at Large on the Executive Council for CTABA. She currently serves on the CTABA Board of Directors and Chairs the CTABA Public Policy and Legislative Outreach Committee (PPLO). Her current research interest lies in the assessment and treatment of feeding disorders, assessment and treatment of severe challenging behavior, ethical issues in the delivery of ABA services, and ABA services in school settings.