Easterseals SoCal Presents Autism Research Internationally

In early September 2022, researchers from our Autism Services department had the opportunity to take their knowledge and research overseas to Dublin, Ireland.

The group of ten associates contributed to three presentations at the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) conference, where professionals from around the world gathered to share current applied behavioral analysis (ABA) trends and research.

Easterseals Associates presenting on “Severe Behavior Services.”

Easterseals SoCal’s (ESSC) Research Division was thrilled to share the results of their studies with behavior analysts who can then take the information and apply it to their own programs.

“Presenting our work at these conferences allows others in our field to use what we have learned to improve quality of services,” said Meghan Herron, Director of Research Operations at Easterseals SoCal. “It also allows us to network with other professionals and researchers so that we can build collaborative relationships and work toward common goals.”

Easterseal’s associates participated in the following presentations at the 2022 ABAI conference:

1. Severe Behavior Services: Taking a Multidisciplinary Approach on Intensive Case Management for Individuals with Profound Autism and Other Diagnoses, in collaboration with VP of Clinical Transformation, Dr. Joyce Tu, Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Paula Pompa-Craven, VP of Clinical Strategy & Operations Dr. Rick Gutierrez, Director of Severe Behavior Services Dr. Shaji Haq, and VP of Living Options Lupe Treviso-Reinoso.
2. Applications of Diversity and Inclusion Strategies to Decrease the Disparities in Access to Autism Services, in collaboration with Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Paula Pompa-Craven, VP Clinical Training & Quality Alyssa Kavner, as well Naa Garrido from Galena Autism and Behavioral Services and Fatou Njie-Jallow of the New England Center for Children.
3. Current Research in Behavior Technician Turnover, in collaboration with VP of Clinical Strategy and Operations Dr. Rick Gutierrez, Clinical Director Kathleen Dengerink, Director of Research Meghan Herron, and VP of Experience & Service Excellence Dr. JJ Johnston.

Much of the information presented at the conference stemmed from studies conducted through our seven laboratories. The Research Division conducts state of the art behavioral and scientific research to evaluate and enhance the effectiveness of the interventions that ESSC provides so that individuals with disabilities and their families have equal and better opportunities to live, learn, work, and play in their communities.

“We are so proud to be conducting numerous studies at ESSC that we can disseminate and share with our colleagues from all over the world,” said Meghan.

Visit our website for more information about Easterseals SoCal’s Autism Research Division and for a list of recent publications.

ESSC associates who attended the conference also had the opportunity to grow and develop their professional relationships with colleagues while touring around Ireland and Europe.