
In congruence with our commitment to clinical excellence and dedication to being active members of the ABA community, our leadership team has presented applied research at CalABA’s Western Regional Conference for the past 19 years. At the most recent 2024 event occurring earlier this month, our leadership team from the Calabasas office presented as part of a symposium discussing compassion in Applied Behavior Analysis.
FirstSteps Program Director Naomi Ongjanco delivered her first conference presentation, and was joined by co-presenters Courtney Tarbox, FirstSteps Chief Clinical Officer, and co-author, Taira Bermudez, FirstSteps Regional Clinic Director (see full abstract here). Together, they shared a decision model for minimizing the use of the reductive teaching procedure called extinction. During an interview that followed, Tarbox stressed, “As clinicians committed to helping our clients reach their personal goals, we must harness and prioritize the foundational principles of learning and motivation to inspire our clients while also honoring their right to give and withdraw assent to treatment.” Bermudez added, “when extinction is used, data supports its efficacy when paired with empathy, compassion, and kindness.” We are so proud of our team and their collective efforts to encourage all ABA professionals to build positive therapeutic relationships with clients that are based on mutual respect, trust, and safety. By centering client voices and assent in treatment, FirstSteps is leading the way to create a more person-centered and compassionate approach that truly aligns with the Autistic community’s expectations for change in ABA therapy.
Our Research Director, Dr. Jonathan Tarbox continued the symposium with a presentation that expanded the focus of compassion to organizational behavior management. Dr. Tarbox described the benefits of employee management, supervision, and organizational culture that emphasizes and rewards employee success and engagement. Dr. Tarbox’s presentation was a wonderful reminder to our field that authentic communication and positive reinforcement not only benefit our clients but are also essential in the work setting and consistently result in improved employee wellbeing and work quality. With high levels of burnout reported across our field, and in medicine, Dr. Tarbox’s recommendations are both timely and essential.
The symposium concluded with a discussion by BCBA, Dr. Heidi Eilers, founder of Compassionate Behavior Analysis and friend to our FirstSteps team. Dr. Eilers emphasized the importance of listening with open ears and open hearts to the Autistic community, especially when the Autistic community has shared critical feedback for the ABA profession. She stressed the importance of prioritizing human dignity over all else. Aligned with our FirstSteps team in messaging, Dr. Eilers concluded the symposium by providing an optimistic outlook for our evolving applied work as behavior analysts. The time is now. Our field and its clinicians must learn from and acknowledge both the past successes and shortcomings of our predecessors. We must continuously work together to improve our science and its application. Without a doubt, behavior analysts today have the tremendous opportunity to right past wrongs and ensure the ABA of today and tomorrow is inherently infused and synonymous with both effectiveness AND compassion.

Courtney Tarbox M.S., BCBA, Naomi Ongjanco M.S., BCBA, and Dr. Jonathan Tarbox Ph.D., BCBA-D with Dr. Heidi Eilers Ph.D., BCBA-D, CCTP.
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