ABA Beyond Autism

This presentation challenges the common misconception that ABA is limited to autism services, making a compelling case for broader applications of behavioral science. Nicole Parks shares her personal and professional journey through varied settings, including psychiatric hospitals and child welfare programs, to illustrate the science’s versatility and impact. Participants are introduced to multiple ABA subspecialties such as clinical behavior analysis, substance use treatment, organizational behavior management (OBM), and pediatric or geriatric health. Through engaging case examples, Nicole demonstrates how core ABA principles—such as reinforcement, shaping, and functional assessment—translate into powerful tools across fields. The session also outlines practical strategies for clinicians to expand their individual scope of competence, including specialized training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and values-based service design.

1. 1Learning Objectives
2. 2Identify at least five subspecialties of ABA beyond autism, including behavioral pediatrics, OBM, substance use, and forensic/clinical behavior analysis.
3. 3Describe how core ABA principles (e.g., reinforcement, shaping, functional analysis) are applied in non-traditional settings such as psychiatric hospitals, fitness apps, and foster care systems.
4. 4Explain the behavioral foundations of protocols such as ACT, behavioral activation, functional analytic psychotherapy, and contingency management.
5. 5Evaluate the practical barriers and ethical considerations of expanding practice beyond insurance-funded ASD services.
6. 6Apply strategies for expanding scope of practice, including interdisciplinary networking, certification in adjacent fields, and mentorship or residency-style supervision.