Seeing Neurodiversity Through the Radical Behaviorism Lens
Join Brian Middleton in Seeing Neurodiversity Through a Behavior Science Lens to get an introduction to the ideas of neurodiversity from multiple behavior science lenses.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the backlash towards ABA by neurodivergent (ND) populations.
- Understand the role of radical behaviorism in serving neurodiverse (ND) populations using the neurological lens.
- Understand why behavior analysts need to be cultural ambassadors for neurodivergent populations.
- Identify examples of neurodivergent affirming practices.
- Identify areas of commonly accepted practice that are and are not meeting the social validity heuristic.
- Take immediate action toward initiating cultural change in behavior analysis as a field.
About Instructor
Brian is a human. He believes that this view is essential to increase prosocial engagement. Brian is also neurodivergent. He is AuDHD (autistic & ADHD) and has a reading disability and has hearing impairments. Brian worked as a special education teacher for 7 years, 5 of which was as a middle school behavior specialist, before transitioning to being a full-time behavior analyst. He has a dual Bachelor's degree in social science composite and special education and a Masters of Education with administrative endorsement from Southern Utah University, and a post-master's certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from University of Cincinnati. He presently works as a BCBA in disability services and he specializes in assent-based, neurodivergent centered services, and in behavior analytic applications of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Relational Frame Theory (RFT).
Brian started the Bearded Behaviorist social media profile in 2018 in response to some frustrating experiences that occurred during his post-graduate schooling. He encountered consistent indicators that the education being provided was not consistently applying principles of behavior to learning, including ignoring the need for individualization and providing support for disabled populations in the program. Bearded Behaviorist has since become known for creating engaging learning, exploration, and advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion through applying a prohuman and prosocial approach to behavior analysis. Brian is an active advocate for changing our culture to be one where everyone can thrive. In addition to serving as a member-at-large, he is the president of the Open Educational Resources (OER) Special Interest Group (SIG). Brian is also the the recipient of the 2022 Diversity Award from the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) for his advocacy work and efforts to bring to light and ending of unethical practices and relationships within the field such as the use of Contingent Electric Shock (CESS) in disabled people and other human rights violations perpetrated by the Judge Rottenberg Center and supported by ABAI.
Brian believes that in order for there to be a future for autistics and other neurodivergent populations that future must include all neurotypes. That neurodiversity, like biodiversity, creates healthy environments where individuals and cultures can thrive.
Three of his favorite things to say are, "we learn, grow, and build together", "reinforce the change you want to see in the world", and "human first, human always".
