ABA 523 - Intro to ABA and Psychiatric Disorders

Prevalence of mental illness continues to rise in adolescent and adult populations nationwide. Professionals working in applied behavior analysis, special education, psychology, and other human service fields are likely to encounter clients who have been diagnosed with a mental illness. The purpose of this course is to expose students to emotional and behavior disorders within adolescents and adults and the unique intervention techniques that the field of applied behavior analysis can offer to these populations. Students will learn about research on interventions for these populations including behavior analytic assessment/analysis of client skill deficits and behavior problems, implementation of behavior analytic interventions based upon identified functions of behavior, and implications to consider regarding each specific disorder and/or presenting clinical problems. Students will be taught techniques to utilize when presented with case studies of clients with varying forms of emotional and behavior disorders and will construct a treatment plan utilizing behavior analytic principles and techniques.

(Cr: 3