Attending to What Matters 


Original Air Date: March 2, 2026

Short Title: Attending to What Matters

RBT PDU offered: 0.5 BACB RBT PDU

Webinar Duration: 27 minutes

Instructors:

  • Stephen Anderson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, Psychologist


Abstract:

This presentation highlights the critical importance of teaching life skills to individuals with autism and severe disabilities. Dr. Anderson explores the alignment of characteristics of autism with the behavior analytic approach to intervention for children with autism. He provides examples of how goals for learning are individualized based on the learner's age, abilities, and expectations of the environment (current and future). Participants will explore effective instructional tools and the transformative impact these strategies have on independence, dignity, and quality of life. This presentation emphasizes how educators, therapists, and direct support staff directly shape the futures of their students by fostering gateway skills that open doors to greater community inclusion, employment, and family integration.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the long-term implications of teaching (or not teaching) life skills for children with autism and intellectual disabilities. 
  2. Identify key instructional strategies that promote mastery of gateway life skills.
  3. Recognize the professional opportunities and personal fulfillment that come from committing to a career supporting individuals with autism and severe disabilities.


Instructor(s)

Executive Consultant Stephen Anderson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, Psychologist

Dr. Anderson received his Ph.D. in Developmental and Child Psychology from the University of Kansas. He has served as Adjunct Assistant Professor at number of colleges and universities including the University of Kansas, Northeastern University, the State University of New York at Buffalo and Buffalo State College. He has published journal articles, book chapters, and one book on the education and treatment of people with autism or other developmental disabilities. Dr. Anderson has served in leadership roles at the state and national level in several professional organizations and a consultant to the NY Department of Health Early Intervention. As a licensed psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Dr. Anderson has worked in the autism field for more than 40 years and has served as an expert witness and consultant.