Educational Outreach

What Is Applied Behavior Analysis?

The science of Applied Behavior Analysis employs strategies derived from behavioral principles to change socially significant behavior. Repeated measures are collected to verify the strategies responsible for behavior change. Tactics derived from Applied Behavior Analysis have been applied to a wide range of issues, and today are recognized by both the U.S. Surgeon General and Maine’s own MADSEC as effective in improving skills and independence of children with autism.

Why Is Certification As A Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst Valuable?

Autism is now diagnosed at a rate of 1 in every 150 births. With this increased prevalence, there is an increased need for practitioners who are trained to provide services to those who have been diagnosed. Certification provides assurance of professional competence of practitioners who provide behaviorally-based services.

Who Should Take These Courses?

These courses have been developed principally for special educators, but others who work with children with autism or other disabilities will also benefit.

Why Should You Take These Courses?

Participants who satisfactorily complete the three course sequence will have:

• Fulfilled the coursework requirements necessary to sit for the examination for national board certification as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst;
• Earned 9 of the 24 credits necessary for Maine Special Education (286) Certification; and
• Learned practices valued by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the education community, including functional behavior assessment, positive behavior support, and applications of assistive technology.

What Courses Are Being Offered?

The three courses will be offered on Saturdays at UMF over three semesters. A new cohort begins in 2010 beginning with SED 525 in the Spring 2010 semester. All 3 courses will be offered only on Saturdays.

Cohort 4

Registration for the Cohort 4 series of courses, the first of which is SED 525 Basic Principals of Behavior Analysis, will begin in November 2009. Please notify us at 778-7502 or educationaloutreach@maine.edu if you are interested in joining Cohort 4. You will then be notified when the registration period opens for all courses.

Spring 2010

SED 525 Basic Principals of Behavior Analysis This course will introduce participants to a behavioral view of teaching and learning. The course presents basic behavioral processes and principals and provides a conceptual foundation for subsequent courses. SED 525 is a PREREQUISITE for SED 526. See How Can You Register for These Courses? below for registration form.

Dates/Times: Saturdays, January 30, February 27, March 13 and 27, April 10, and May 8 - 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Fall 2010

SED 526 Behavior Analysis and the Scientific Assessment of Learning This course will acquaint participants with behavior analytic approaches to (a) multifaceted assessment of children’s instructional and behavioral needs, and (b) evaluation of supportive interventions predicated on such assessment. SED 525 is a PREREQUISITE for SED 526.

Spring 2011

SED 527 Applying Behavior Analysis: Methods of Instruction and Behavioral Support This course will familiarize participants with behavior analytic strategies for (a) modifying instruction for students with special needs, and (b) managing behavior that interferes with learning. The course represents the progression from conducting behavioral research (SED 526) to implementing evidence-based practices from research. SED 525 and SED 526 are PREREQUISITES for SED 527.

Where Will The Courses Be Offered?

All three courses will be offered on the University of Maine at Farmington campus.

How Can You Register for These Courses?

Registration for SED 525 in the Spring 2010 semester begins November, 2009. Click here for Word course registration form or here for pdf file.

Registration will be for the Spring 2010 course only (SED 525), but you may also have a space reserved for you in SED 526 which will be offered in Fall 2010 and SED 527 which will be offered in Spring 2011.

The Spring 2010 tuition rate for a three-credit graduate course is $1041; an additional $128 in fees is applicable to each course. The University of Maine System reserves the right to modify tuition and fees at any time. Students will be billed additional charges if tuition and/or fees change after they have enrolled.

Cohort 4: A course registration form will be sent to you via email in November 2009 if you have expressed interest in participation in the fourth cohort. The class size is limited to 24 and enrollment is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please complete and send in the course registration with payment or a purchase order. (If you cannot open the registration form, please email educationaloutreach@maine.edu or call the office at 778-7502 to request one.)

INSTRUCTOR: Susan F. Thibadeau, Ph.D., BCBA – D
Susan Thibadeau is a Licensed Psychologist in Maine and Massachusetts and a doctoral level Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Dr. Thibadeau has been involved in the field of special education for over 30 years, with over half that time spent as the director of a program for children and adolescents with autism. She has experience in early intervention, inclusive preschool and kindergarten education, intensive special education, and group home living.  Dr. Thibadeau earned her master’s degree in special education from Rhode Island College and her doctorate in developmental and child psychology from the University of Kansas. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas and has been teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels for 25 years. Dr. Thibadeau has served as a consultant to numerous special education programs and as an expert witness for the U.S. Department of Justice. She is a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, and the American Psychological Association.