A Clearer Path Forward for Assent-Based ABA Programming
Four Essential Skills Every Practitioner Needs
Assent is a hot-button topic in the field, and rightfully so. Truthfully, I hesitated to write about it for fear of saying the wrong thing. Assent is a concept that I am still heavily focused on learning more about and using as a guiding influence in my clinical practice.
For simplicity’s sake, we can define assent as consent for those who can’t legally consent. Like legal consent, assent can be withdrawn at any time. However, many BCBAs and other ABA providers do not honor assent withdrawal in old-school ABA.
I am not an expert on assent, but I am committed to knowing and doing better for the clients and the families I serve. I recently completed an online CEU by Dr. Greg Hanley, Ph.D., BCBA-D, and am not exaggerating its substantial effect on my practice.
I was already aware of many of the concepts he covered, such as allowing clients to “vote with their feet” and implementing “televisable” procedures, but I now see a clearer path forward for myself as a clinician.
Conceptually, assent made sense to me, but the systematic application of assent-based procedures felt foggy. Dr. Hanley’s approach to implementing trauma-assumed ABA provided the direction I needed.
I’m sure Dr. Hanley wouldn’t appreciate me giving away too much of his content for free, but to give you a taste of the “new ABA” Dr. Hanley speaks of often, I will share the four skills that he believes all teachers and therapists should possess.
Four Basic Expectations for Teachers and Therapists:
Bring the joy
Develop a trusting relationship
Teach effectively and without fear
Turn problem behavior off before it gets severe
This list is the starting point for behavior change. If you don’t have a trusting relationship with your client or student, you don’t have the relational equity to challenge them gently. If you don’t bring joy, your presence isn’t an SD signaling that the things they love are available. If you don’t teach effectively and without fear, you don’t have the skills necessary to bring about meaningful behavior change. You compromise safety and trust if you don’t turn problem behavior off before it gets severe.
If you haven’t read Dr. Hanley’s “A Perspective on Today’s ABA,” I highly recommend it. I took his key points and created a poster for my desk to serve as a daily reminder of my role as a BCBA.
If you’re interested, I’m sharing the poster for free with all Field Notes subscribers! Click here to download, print, and laminate.
This post merely scratches the surface of assent, and I plan to share more. Assent has weighed heavily on my mind, and I feel an ethical obligation to do all I can to ensure I am a part of the new ABA. If you have any thoughts or resources on assent, please share! I’d love to hear from you.
Assent Resources:
Today’s ABA: An Effective and Humane Approach for Addressing Problem Behavior (2 CEUs)
Formal training on the PFA/SBT
As always, please subscribe and share Field Notes with anyone you know who may be looking for content and resources to grow as a clinician and leader in the field of ABA.