Join us for the official kickoff of Southeast Symposium – Day 1 as we warmly welcome all attendees and set the stage for the day ahead. This brief session will highlight key information about the event and include helpful housekeeping notes to ensure a smooth and engaging experience. We’re excited to begin the day with you!​​

As Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) continues to expand into home and community settings, behavior analysts face increasing challenges in maintaining quality, oversight, and staff motivation in decentralized environments. This presentation explores the unique obstacles behavior analysts encounter when supervising technicians who deliver services in clients' natural settings, including limited real-time oversight, inconsistent implementation fidelity, staff burnout, and high turnover. Drawing from organizational behavior management (OBM) literature, as well as parallels from similar industries such as home healthcare, this session offers evidence-based, conceptually systematic strategies for improving field-based supervision. Case examples, empirical findings, and practical tools will be shared to help behavior analysts enhance accountability, motivation, and treatment effectiveness in even the most isolated service contexts. ​

​As analysts, we have many opportunities to work within the school setting. However, often analysts and RBTS find themselves in situations where they feel there is a lack of collaboration and communication. In addition, analysts and RBTs feel pressures from the families we serve advocating, to ending up more as an advocate during contentious situations. This talk will present discussions from both a BCBA school expert along with former district level school administrators on some of the pitfalls BCBA/RBTs engage in along with solutions on how to build positive relationships that both schools and families appreciate.​

Take this time to grab a water or coffee, recharge, and connect with colleagues.​ ​

Collaboration plays a critical role in the effective implementation of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) across various settings. This symposium brings together three presenters, each with specialized expertise in a different treatment environment: adult services, home-based ABA with a focus on parent collaboration, and school settings. The session will explore how collaboration is uniquely applied in each of these environments to maximize the efficacy of services. While certain elements of collaboration may be consistent across contexts, each setting requires tailored strategies to ensure the success of ABA interventions. The presenters will highlight the challenges and best practices for fostering productive collaboration within diverse treatment environments through this discussion. The first presentation will discuss key strategies for collaboration in the adult services setting where there is a unique dynamic among the variety of staff involved in the implementation of the behavior plan in a more communal environment. The second presentation will explore the team effort required for home-based ABA services and navigating the common barriers when working with parents. The final presentation will tackle the frequent pitfalls when providing ABA services within the school and some key recommendations for working with a school team.​

We would like to discuss the development of soft skills as a behavior analytic provider in order to set caregivers up for success. This presentation includes a detailed description of soft skills and their importance in sessions with caregivers. It further identifies 6 areas to focus on to improve soft skills; communication, empathy, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution, flexibility and adaptability, and accepting feedback. ​

​This group supervision series is designed for student analysts seeking structured, high-quality guidance as they progress toward certification and the opportunity to earn unrestricted supervision hours. Each session covers essential topics from the BACB® task list, including assessment, intervention, measurement, ethical decision-making, and professional conduct. Through collaborative discussions, practical exercises, and real-world application, participants will deepen their understanding of behavior analytic principles while developing critical skills for both clinical and professional success.​

Take this time to enjoy lunch, recharge, and connect with colleagues.​

Have you as a clinician ever had the thought, “What is a provider manual” or “There is a location modifier on that code?” If so, this is the talk for you. Indirect work is an essential part of providing applied behavior analysis services. Many behavior analysts are provided guidance on specific tasks and tools that fall within the science of behavior analysis, however many do not come into contact with standardized healthcare requirements. In this paper session, the authors, both Certified Professional Compliance Officers (CPCOs), hope to bridge the gap in this knowledge by educating clinicians on indirect work as it relates to insurers and healthcare under the scope of billing practices. To do this, the authors will be discussing what is important for a clinician to know while working under third-party funder contracts. In addition, the authors will discuss why there are specific regulations and policies within standardized healthcare, and how behavior analysts can “play in the sandbox” with third-party insurers. As clinicians, these requirements may seem arbitrary because we do not use the lens of a healthcare provider. With the understanding that ABA providers are also healthcare providers, we can support the application of behavior analysis by completing thorough and complete indirect work to support compliance with healthcare standards. ​

Follow us as we explore how intentional, values driven supervision within the field of Applied Behavior Analysis can cultivate confident, ethical and effective clinical leaders. Together we will explore strategies to support the transition from student to supervisor by fostering clinical thinking, encouraging safe failure and promoting collaborative growth. Through purposeful supervision we can shape the next generation of ABA professionals to lead with clarity, compassion and clinical integrity.​

​This group supervision series is designed for student analysts seeking structured, high-quality guidance as they progress toward certification and the opportunity to earn unrestricted supervision hours. Each session covers essential topics from the BACB® task list, including assessment, intervention, measurement, ethical decision-making, and professional conduct. Through collaborative discussions, practical exercises, and real-world application, participants will deepen their understanding of behavior analytic principles while developing critical skills for both clinical and professional success.​

This session will discuss the shift from paper to electronic data collection, the current trends, and recent research on advantages and disadvantages of both. ​ ​

Despite the growing emphasis on compassionate, person-centered care in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), many analysts remain apprehensive about integrating these strategies into their daily practice, perhaps because they are unsure how to implement it and stay within their professional scope of practice. This presentation will address these concerns by defining compassionate ABA, providing real-life examples, and clarifying how analysts can implement these strategies while staying within their ethical and professional scope. We will explore the risks of failing to incorporate compassionate care, including negative perceptions from the autism community. Critics (including former ABA recipients) have described ABA as overly robotic, mechanized, and even abusive at times. Ignoring compassionate approaches not only alienates clients and families but also contributes to ABA’s controversial reputation. By failing to adapt, the field risks perpetuating these mistakes, further criticism, and decreased acceptance within the broader autism and disability communities. Through discussion, case examples, and ethical considerations, this presentation will equip analysts with the tools to balance compassionate care with clinical responsibility. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to use compassionate care in their everyday interventions while staying within their scope. Together, we can shift the narrative—showing that ABA is not just a science, but a practice rooted in empathy, collaboration, and respect for human dignity.​

This session will feature a case study featuring a parent and adult with autism who lives independently. They will reflect back on his experience with PBS, discussing the challenges with access to the least restrictive environment early on and discussing his progression with PBS Services, and fading of services. His transition to post high school education, gaining employment and building natural supports has led to a successfullly employed and very independent young man. ​​​​​​​​​ ​

​Social skills are an important area of focus in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), yet in-home therapy often limits opportunities to generalize these skills in natural group settings. This presentation will explore how PBS Corporation has successfully implemented a social skills group model, Socialize, to address this gap. By utilizing the existing client base and maintaining a one-to-one format, Socialize offers individualized goal-focused interventions in a group environment that is ethical, effective, and billable to insurance. Attendees will learn how Socialize has not only enhanced skill generalization but also contributed to client retention and recruitment by introducing a unique product offering distinct from traditional in-home or clinical ABA services. Socialize caters to different age groups, including preschoolers, elementary students, and teenagers, providing developmentally appropriate activities and goals. The presentation will outline strategies for designing and implementing a successful social skills group, including scheduling, billing, and aligning goals with client needs. Attendees will also gain insight into the benefits of such groups for improving client outcomes, increasing family satisfaction, and positioning ABA providers as leaders in offering diverse, evidence-based services.​

Discover how artificial intelligence is reshaping the field of ABA in this engaging session. Learn how AI is being used to enhance documentation, supervision, research, and administrative efficiency, while upholding ethical standards and clinical integrity. Attendees will walk away with practical tools, real-world examples, and a framework for responsibly integrating AI into their behavior analytic practice. Whether you're a tech-curious clinician or an experienced supervisor, this session will equip you with the knowledge to make informed, ethical decisions in the age of AI.

Join us for an engaging workshop designed to inform, inspire, and support your professional development. This workshop will offer valuable insights and practical strategies relevant to the field. Full session details, including learning objectives, will be added shortly. Stay tuned!

This group supervision series is designed for student analysts seeking structured, high-quality guidance as they progress toward certification and the opportunity to earn unrestricted supervision hours. Each session covers essential topics from the BACB® task list, including assessment, intervention, measurement, ethical decision-making, and professional conduct. Through collaborative discussions, practical exercises, and real-world application, participants will deepen their understanding of behavior analytic principles while developing critical skills for both clinical and professional success.​

Join us for relaxed evening of connection and conversation! Enjoy PBS-sponsored appetizers and unwind with two complimentary drink tickets. It's the perfect opportunity to network, mingle with colleagues, and celebrate a great day together.​