Getting to Know Dr. Maria Montessori: The “Prepared Environment” Can Make Us Better at Our Work

Integrating Montessori Principles with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): Enhancing Practice, Program Design, and Client Experience This Continuing Education Unit (CEU) event will provide an exploration of the Montessori method and its potential to complement the principles and practices of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Participants will examine how incorporating Montessori-based strategies can enhance practitioner effectiveness, improve program design, and create a more enriching experience for clients. Through this session, attendees will gain a understanding of key Montessori principles, such as self-directed learning, individualized education, and the significance of a carefully prepared environment that fosters independence, intrinsic motivation, and skill mastery. The discussion will highlight the alignment between Montessori and ABA approaches, particularly in promoting autonomy, structured learning, and adaptive skill development. Additionally, this event will explore practical applications of Montessori-inspired strategies within ABA-based programs, demonstrating how these approaches can be tailored to diverse learning needs. Participants will leave with actionable insights on integrating Montessori techniques into their practice, enhancing both engagement and outcomes for clients. This session is ideal for behavior analysts, educators, therapists, and other professionals seeking innovative ways to enrich their interventions while maintaining evidence-based practices.

Learning Objectives:

• Understanding Individualized Learning in Montessori and ABA Objective: Participants will enhance their awareness of the principles of individualized learning in both Montessori and ABA approaches, and how individualized intervention plans benefit from incorporating Montessori method
• Identify the overlapping principles between Montessori and ABA, such as shaping strategies, structured environments, and task analysis, to determine how these methodologies can complement one another in practice.
• Discuss the role of the prepared environment in the Montessori method and identify strategies for structuring ABA-based learning spaces that promote independence, intrinsic motivation, and skill mastery while maintaining evidence-based behavioral interventions.
• Identify practical applications for integrating Montessori-inspired strategies within ABA-based programs that promote independence, intrinsic motivation, and engagement.
• Discuss the use of Montessori materials in skill acquisition and demonstrate how hands-on, sensory-based tools can be integrated into ABA programs to enhance engagement, independence, and meaningful learning experiences.

Presenter:

Hattie-Angelys Fox, MS Ed./Sp. Ed. (B-2nd)/ NYS-LBA Hattie-Angelys Fox is a Nuerodirgent Behavioral Educator. She has first-hand knowledge of the ways in which one Nuerotype can interact with environment to create behavior sets that can disrupt any and all aspects of an individual’s life.