SIG Spotlight: Behavioral Analysis SIG on Supervision

The topic of supervision within the field of behavior analysis is one that has been discussed in detail by many leaders in the field over the course of the past decade. The concept and process of supervision continues to be refined and developed to ensure that the future of behavior analysis and those that practice it are acting within the confines of their scope of competence, with ethical considerations, in a manner that will continue to be in line with B. F. Skinner’s conviction of “saving the world”. The Behavior Analysis Special Interest Group on Supervision (BASIGS) is a newly minted Special Interest Group within ABAI. Obtaining approval in November of 2020, the SIG’s mission and vision are in pursuant of accomplishing several goals over the course of the next few years that will align with the voices of the leaders in our field regarding developing, promoting and advocating for exemplary training standards of behavior analysts as supervisors.

Since its approval, BASIGS has endeavored to obtain membership (currently 33), establish an Executive Committee (10 members), and develop task forces with task force leads. The Executive Committee consists of the following behavior analysts: co-chair, Kasey Gerhart; co-chair, Susan Ansleigh; secretary, Jane Carlson; treasurer, Cheryl Davis; Membership coordinator, Karrie Lindeman; Student Membership coordinator, Laura Rojeski; Communications coordinator, Jen Klapatch; Research and Grant Competition coordinator, Lillith Reuter-Yuill; Social Media coordinator, Nathania Wong; and ABAI Chief Communication liaison, Lina Slim. Additionally, the following task forces have been established to address developing goals within BASIGS: Resource Repository, Curriculum and Task List, Mentor and Supervisor Directory, Surveys and Research, ABAI Convention Supervision Theme Track, and Collaborative and International Dissemination Initiatives. These Task Forces are directly in line with BASIGS mission and vision. BASIGS is within its first year of development, however goals for the future include becoming a resource for behavior analysts to access information on the process of supervision and core competencies on being an effective supervisor. Additionally, we wish to serve as a resource for students to seek assistance to gain professional development in the supervision process, support students conducting a thesis on supervision, and the ultimate goal of developing a gold standard of supervisory practices for the field of behavior analysis.

At this time membership of the SIG will include access to empirical research and resources for supervision and the opportunity to participate in research and surveys. Future benefits of membership will include a vetted list of supervisors across distinct domains of the field of Behavior Analysis, access to a Supervision Curriculum and Task List which will be a supplement to the current BACB Supervision Curriculum 2.0, access to continuing education units on supervision, availability of a grant for research and dissemination purposes, and the opportunity to collaborate with other organizations to continue to improve upon the supervision process across the breadth of the field.

The current Executive Committee and Task Forces of BASIGS are excited to begin this journey and work together to ensure that we can transform the provision of supervision through education, mentorship, and coaching to promote the professional development of behavior analysts and trainees by achieving elevated standards of performance and execution in the field.

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Aaron Barsy

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