(REC) Decade of Digital: Leveraging Social Media in Behavior Analysis for Continuous innovation

Social media’s role in professional fields has evolved dramatically over the last decade, becoming a pivotal platform for knowledge dissemination and professional development. This panel discussion, led by seasoned behavior analysts who have pioneered social media strategies, explores the dynamic integration of these digital tools in behavior analysis. Rooted in the initial considerations outlined by O’Leary et al. (2015), which highlighted the ethical dimensions of social media use in behavior analysis, the focus of this panel extends into modern social media practices that overcome traditional barriers to knowledge dissemination (Ghahramani et al., 2022; Chan et al., 2020). Building on the foundation set by these early insights, the panel will delve into the power of social media to foster significant behavior change and enhance public health messaging, as evidenced by recent integrative reviews (Ghahramani et al., 2022) and rapid response experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic (Chan et al., 2020; Goel & Gupta, 2020). The potential of social media in medical education underscores its value in continuing professional development and lifelong learning for behavior analysts (Katz & Nandi, 2021).

This panel also explores how platforms can effectively bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring that the latest innovations and evidence-based practices swiftly reaching practitioners (Deeken et al., 2020; Chan et al., 2020). Through a discussion informed by comprehensive reviews and studies (Farsi, 2021; Farsi et al., 2022), the panel will address how social media is currently used by healthcare providers and patients, highlighting successful strategies and potential pitfalls. As veterans in the field, the panelists will also share their longitudinal experiences with social media, offering a retrospective look at the successes and challenges faced over the years, while also highlighting innovative approaches for today’s digital challenges.

Attendees will gain insights into creating impactful online communities, fostering inclusive dialogues that bring underrepresented voices to the forefront, and leveraging social media to rapidly disseminate cutting-edge research and best practices.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to describe at least 2 strategies for integrating social media into behavior analytic education and dissemination.
• Participants will be able to identify at least 2 methods for utilizing social media to bridge the gap between research and practical application in behavior analysis
• Participants will be able to provide at least 2 benefits of utilizing social media to increase inclusivity and diverse perspectives within behavior analysis.

PRESENTERS:

Megan DeLeon Miller

Global Behavior Analyst | Neurodiversity-Affirming Advocate | Author & Innovator | Resource Queen Expertise in Autism & Behavior Analysis: Over 20 years of experience in autism and behavior analysis, focusing on translating research into practical, individualized, and person-centered interventions. Published Author & Contributor: Author of 2 book chapters, several peer-reviewed articles, and a widely recognized expert in advancing compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming practices. Extensive Global Presentation Experience: Invited speaker at conferences across the globe, with over 116 conference presentations and a reputation for bringing innovative, research-informed perspectives to the field. Leader in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Training: Global trainer and coach for behavior analysts, parents, and service providers, specializing in neurodiversity- affirming, person-centered approaches that promote autonomy and social communication. Founder of the Do Better Collective: Creator of an international community empowering behavior analysts and related service providers to deliver more compassionate and effective interventions, combining evidence-based practice with humanity.

Diah Askari

Diah Askari, MS, BCBA has been in the field since 2011, and Board Certified in 2013. He owns an ABA therapy company called Step Forward ABA that is based in South Florida and services families in multiple states (FL, IL, CO, WA, OR). His passion for the field led him to create his online dissemination persona “Behavior Man”, where he utilizes humor to create behavior analytic content for a variety of audiences.

Hillary Laney

Hilary Laney is the Vice President of Functional Assessment and Treatment at Centria Autism. In her role at Centria, she is responsible for the development and oversight of foundational clinical services as they relate to the treatment of interfering behavior. Her current focus is on the scale and successful implementation of the Practical Functional Assessment and Skills-Based Treatment and Universal Protocols. She guides clinical practices which prioritize safety, dignity, effectiveness, and rapport-based treatments for challenging and interfering behaviors exhibited by clients at Centria. Hillary is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and received her M. Ed from the University of Washington in 2015. She has over 10 years of experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum as well as various other disabilities, specifically as it relates to the treatment of severe behavioral challenges. Hillary has vast experience as a practitioner and deeply cares to support other practitioners in the field to provide more compassionate services to their clients. She is an administrator of an Facebook community (PFA and SBT Community: My Way to HRE) created to support practitioners in the use of the Practical Functional Assessment and Skills-Based Treatment which has 17,000 members and provides free content for members to learn and grow from one another. She has provided training modules for the Do Better Collective, presented on compassionate practices at various conferences, and has been a guest on multiple podcasts (Including the Do Better Pod) discussing strategies to support compassionate therapy.

Jacqui Wunderlich

Jacqueline (Jacqui) Wunderlich is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and lifelong learner. Some of her values include transparency, healthy skepticism, hopeless earnestness, and informed action. She received her BA in Psychology from Gallaudet University and her MA in Special Education from Ball State University. Jacqui is currently enrolled as a doctoral student at Gallaudet University studying Critical Studies in the Education of Deaf Learners with a focus on Deaf students with disabilities. Jacqui is the Program Manager at Family Center on Deafness, where she works to empower the local Deaf community by providing opportunities to enhance communication, education and independence.