Challenging Behavior Annual Report

Challenging behaviors exist along a continuum and may be conceptualized as externalizing behaviors producing significant impact on the individual, others or the environed that can impact participation in home, school, and/or community activities. The Challenging Behavior Special Interest Group (CB-SIG) is housed within ABAI and aims to advance clinical, research, training, and advocacy endeavors pertaining specifically to the assessment and treatment of challenging behavior across the lifespan.

We are excited to offer membership in the CB-SIG and meet the needs of ABAI membership in clinical, research, training, and advocacy endeavors pertaining to the assessment and treatment of challenging behavior. These endeavors are at the heart of the CB-SIG mission.

The mission of the CB-SIG is to support the advancement of clinical, research, training, and advocacy endeavors pertaining to the assessment and treatment of challenging behavior across the lifespan. This mission compliments and echoes the aims of ABAI. In the first-year objectives include:

Support and encouragement of research efforts to improve our understanding of assessment and treatment of challenging behavior, as well as the needs of professionals engaged in provision of these services.

Development of best practice supports for clinicians and educators across areas of assessment, treatment, documentation, reimbursement, outcome measures, and advocacy.

Support of undergraduate and graduate training as it pertains to the specialized assessment and treatment of challenging behavior.

Development of relationships and communication
with other organizations treating challenging behavior both within and outside of the discipline of applied behavior analysis.

Dissemination of information and resources regarding best-practice, culturally informed, and family-centered behavioral approaches to assessing and treating
challenging behavior.

Engagement in community outreach and advocacy work to facilitate meaningful advancement for individuals with challenging behavior (e.g., access to funding, adults w/IDD, parent advocacy).

We conducted an inaugural business meeting at ABAI in 2023, introduced our board, and recruited membership. We are excited for this unique opportunity to serve ABAI membership and please look for updates for information about how to become a member.