Call for Participants: Training Clinicians in the Principles of Behaviour Analysis to Support Children with Developmental Disabilities
23–26 July 2019, Dubai, UAE

The Mental Health Initiative of South Asia (MhiSA) hosted in Bangor University’s School of Psychology is pleased to announce professional development training for professionals and researchers specialising in developmental disabilities in South Asia.

Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) is a science underpinned by the philosophy of behaviourism and a strong evidence base for supporting children with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities. Behaviour-analytic methods underpin almost all evidence-based practices in the empirical literature. There is an appetite for behaviour analysis in South Asia, but little available training.

Dr Rebecca Sharp (BCBA-D) from the School of Psychology, Bangor University (North Wales, UK), in partnership with UK-based Board Certified Behavior Analysts working clinically in behaviour analysis, will lead a training for clinicians in South Asia. The training is comprised of three components: a 4-day training, a mentorship and monitoring phase, and an online feedback and maintenance phase (6 months after the training).

  1. The training introduces the field of applied behaviour analysis, particularly with regard to children with developmental disabilities. The knowledge-based aims are: 1. to share behaviour-analytic knowledge and methods; 2. to discuss stigma and develop ways to reduce stigma, and; 3. to develop paths for further capacity building. The skills-based aim is to teach specific behaviour-analytic skills such as differential reinforcement and SAFMEDS, as well as providing participants with skills to teach parents these skills (i.e., pyramidal training).
  2. Six months after the training, delegates will join a video conference to talk about their experiences using their new skills and knowledge.
  3. Participants will be required to send the trainer a video of themselves teaching a parent a skill that they themselves acquired in the training. Each delegate will then have a one-on-one video conference with the trainer for individualised feedback on their performance.

Eligibility criteria:

Delegates should be based at higher education, research, or clinical institutions in countries in South Asia (including Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh). Female academics or clinicians and those who identify as having a disability are encouraged to apply.

  1. Hold a clinical or research (or both) position supporting families of children with developmental disabilities in South Asia.
  2. Possess clinical qualifications in relevant to supporting families of children with developmental disabilities (e.g. clinical psychology, psychiatry, speech and language therapy).
  3. Be proficient in English to Level 6 in IELTS (certificate not required). Selected candidates will be interviewed by Skype.
  4. At least 2 years of experience working with families of children with disabilities.
  5. Provide a reference letter that confirms they have an interest in applied behaviour analysis and are willing and able to disseminate their learning after the training.
  6. Be able to provide Health and Safety and Child Protection approval from their organisation that confirms and authorises them to work with children and children with special needs.
  7. Possess a strong potential for training other practitioners and disseminating the learning obtained from the training. Participants will generate dissemination materials as part of the workshop, and must be prepared to share their knowledge within their organisation (e.g. team meetings, awareness events, training reports) using these materials.

The workshop will be held in Dubai, UAE, on 23rd to 26th July 2019.

Costs:

Flight tickets to the UAE (economy class), breakfast and lunch, and accommodation costs will be covered for all participants. Workshop registration fees will be fully covered. Travel insurance (mandatory), local travel costs, UAE visa application fees, and dinner are not provided.

Please email a CV, cover letter, and reference letter to mhisa@bangor.ac.uk by 1st July 2019.