Rejected 2026 Conference | Dec 5-11, 2026 • Virtual

December 5–11, 2026 | Virtual

A virtual conference for behavior analysts and behavior technicians focused on thoughtful, practical, human-centered behavior analysis and what we are building next.

• VIEW PRESENTATIONS •

Attend the "Rejected" 2026 Annual Conference

Built Different.

The Rejected conference is a groundbreaking space in behavior analysis, created for practitioners who are committed to doing better—for their clients, their communities, and the field as a whole. With many practitioner-led presentations, 18 Continuing Education credits (12 General | 3 Supervision | 3 Ethics) and 13 RBT PDUs available, attendees will have access to a rich variety of sessions focused on real-world applications and ethical best practices.

Our presenters will cover essential topics, including navigating common ethical pitfalls in ABA, effective client management, culturally relevant practices, and more. Each session is designed to address the practical challenges practitioners face every day and to equip them with actionable strategies to elevate the quality of care and professionalism in our field.

We also recognize the important role of those who receive behavior analytic services in helping us understand how we can improve. While we can’t guarantee specific presentations from service recipients, their perspectives will be welcomed and valued throughout the event.

This December, join us in challenging the status quo and bridging the gap between practice and research. Too often, research overlooks the real-world challenges practitioners face. At Rejected, we flip this narrative, focusing on practitioner needs and the solutions they’re developing in the field.

Our Commitment to Accessibility and Equity:
We believe that access to professional development and shared knowledge should be equitable and financially accessible. To honor the expertise and time our presenters have dedicated to creating and sharing their work, each will be compensated for their contributions to the conference.

With this commitment to equity, we offer a sliding scale for conference fees that keeps registration costs as accessible as possible while still respecting the value of the knowledge shared. Registration rates are set well below typical events of this kind to make it possible for as many as possible to attend. For anyone facing financial barriers, we also offer a scholarship program for free attendance.

Practitioner-Led Presentations

Sessions led by experienced practitioners, covering topics such as ethical practice, effective supervision, culturally sensitive approaches, and practical strategies for handling complex cases.

Opportunities for All Voices

Whether you’re a practitioner or someone with lived experience receiving behavior analytic services, this conference is a space for growth, learning, and engagement.

Accessible for All

With a sliding scale for registration, free access for Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), and options for financial support, Rejected ensures that everyone can participate and contribute to the conversation on doing better in our work.
CE Credits: Earn up to 18 Continuing Education credits, with sessions covering both Ethics and Learning requirements, to support your professional development needs. Our RBT track offers 13 RBT PDUs.

A Community of Support

Connect with fellow practitioners and other participants who are passionate about advancing ethical standards, sharing real-world insights, and learning new ways to enhance their practice.

When will the presentation recordings be available?

While we strive to add the session’s recordings in a few days, we expect all recordings to be available by January 2027.

What to Expect?

If you’re committed to growth, learning, and elevating the voices of practitioners, the Rejected conference is the place for you. Together, we can do better.

Sponsorship

As a sponsor, your organization will gain brand visibility across this global network while showing your support for practitioner expertise and better practices.

With sponsorship levels ranging from $100 to $5,000, there’s a tier that fits every organization ready to stand out and make an impact.

Presentations

• BCBA Schedule | RBT Schedule •

December 5th at 10am to 1pm ET

Workshop: Dozens of Ways to Alter Relative Efficiencies

3 LEARNING

This webinar will expand participants’ capacity to increase or decrease a wide variety of behaviors by altering their relative efficiencies. The content relies on the Matching Law (Herrnstein, 1961), but goes much further. The presenter will focus on practical examples, tying them to the science, and based largely on the article “50 Ways to Alter the Relative Efficiencies of Behaviors”.

PRESENTER(S)

Steve Ward, BCBA

Steve Ward, MA, BCBA, is a respected behavior analyst, author, and international consultant who has been advancing the science and practice of Applied Behavior Analysis since 1995. Known for his pioneering work on motivation, play, and learner repertoires, Steve has helped practitioners around the world better understand the foundational skills that make meaningful learning possible.

He is the developer of the Inventory of Good Learner Repertoires (IGLR), a widely used assessment that helps educators and clinicians identify the behavioral foundations that allow learners to acquire new skills efficiently. Through this work, Steve has contributed to a broader shift in focus, from teaching isolated skills to developing the underlying repertoires that support long-term learning and independence.

December 5th at 330pm to 530pm ET

The Practice to Research Gap: Pragmatism and a Practitioner Driven Science

2 ETHICS

Participants will examine how ethical decision making, cultural and contextual responsiveness, and professional accountability can guide the identification and investigation of problems encountered in practice.

PRESENTER(S)

Jordan Belisle, PhD, BCBA-D

Dr. Jordan Belisle, BCBA-D, is a behavior scientist, clinician, and educator whose work spans academic research and applied practice. He previously served as a tenured faculty member at Missouri State University and currently teaches part time at Ball State University. Jordan is the Clinical Director at Entiva Behavioral Health and co-founder of Dynamic Behavior Science, where his work focuses on developing and evaluating pragmatic approaches to behavioral assessment, intervention, and clinical decision making. He has authored more than 100 peer reviewed publications and book chapters and has presented and trained behavior analysts nationally and internationally. His current work focuses on relational behavior, dynamical systems, clinical innovation, and building stronger pathways through which problems encountered in everyday practice can generate meaningful science.

With over 20 years of experience in autism, behavior analysis, and service delivery, Dr. DeLeon Miller is known for translating research into practical tools that support autonomy, communication, emotional regulation, meaningful participation, and quality of life. Her work centers neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and person-centered approaches to intervention, with an emphasis on bridging the gap between research and real-world practice.

Dr. DeLeon Miller is the author of two book chapters, several peer-reviewed articles, and has presented at more than 116 conferences and professional events across the globe. Affectionately known as the “Resource Queen,” she is widely recognized for creating accessible, actionable resources that help practitioners bring compassionate, research-informed support into everyday practice.

Through her training, coaching, writing, and community-based work, Dr. DeLeon Miller continues to support professionals in building practices that are grounded in science, guided by humanity, and responsive to the lived experiences of the people they serve.

December 6th at 10am to 1pm ET

Workshop: Clinical Decision-Making in Applied Behavior Analysis: Moving Beyond Procedural Rigidity

3 ETHICS

This interactive workshop explores how behavior analysts can move beyond rigid procedural rules and strengthen clinical decision-making across prompting, data collection, assent, and skill acquisition. Using research, case examples, and guided application, participants will practice identifying relevant learner variables, analyzing discrepancies between expected and observed responding, and making individualized, data-informed adjustments. The workshop will also address how supervisors can help trainees build flexible, responsive clinical reasoning.

PRESENTER(S)

Dr. Megan MIller, BCBA-D

Dr. Megan DeLeon Miller is a global behavior analyst, author, trainer, and founder of the Do Better Collective, an international community dedicated to helping behavior analysts, educators, parents, and related service providers deliver more compassionate, effective, and person-centered support.

With over 20 years of experience in autism, behavior analysis, and service delivery, Dr. DeLeon Miller is known for translating research into practical tools that support autonomy, communication, emotional regulation, meaningful participation, and quality of life. Her work centers neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and person-centered approaches to intervention, with an emphasis on bridging the gap between research and real-world practice.

Dr. DeLeon Miller is the author of two book chapters, several peer-reviewed articles, and has presented at more than 116 conferences and professional events across the globe. Affectionately known as the “Resource Queen,” she is widely recognized for creating accessible, actionable resources that help practitioners bring compassionate, research-informed support into everyday practice.

Through her training, coaching, writing, and community-based work, Dr. DeLeon Miller continues to support professionals in building practices that are grounded in science, guided by humanity, and responsive to the lived experiences of the people they serve.

Steve Ward, BCBA

Steve Ward, MA, BCBA has been working in the field of Behavior Analysis since 1995, and is currently co-owner of Whole Child Consulting, LLC. Steve has been consulting to teams around the world, addressing everything from early communication and physical aggression to vocational opportunities and inclusion in college courses. Steve authored What You Need to Know about Motivation and Teaching Games: An In-depth Analysis, The Inventory of Good Learner Repertoires, and Teaching Good Learner Repertoires and co-authored Teaching Advanced Learner Repertoires, Another 21 Games: This time, it’s personal…, and 2,100+ Inexpensive Ideas for Play and Intrinsic Motivation. These publications reflect Steve’s passion not only for what students learn, but also for the manner in which they learn it. Steve specializes in teaching learner repertoires, including social repertoires, incorporating knowledge from a variety of perspectives and remaining at all times behavioral in his own perspective.

Madelyn Vickery, BCBA

Madelyn Vickery, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), brings hands-on experience and passion to her role as the Clinical Director at C.A.B.S.

Autism and Behavior Specialists in Statesboro, GA. She earned her Bachelor’s in Child and Family Development from Georgia Southern University in 2018, followed by her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology.

Madelyn’s journey with C.A.B.S. began as an intern in 2018, evolving from her role as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). She ascended to the position of case manager at C.A.B.S.’s Savannah and subsequently introduced the organization to her hometown, establishing the Statesboro branch as its Clinical Director.

Madelyn is dedicated to delivering high-quality behavioral services through ongoing education and by staying updated with the latest research and methodologies in the field of ABA. She actively engages in staff training, leveraging her expertise to mentor and supervise aspiring analysts, demonstrating her commitment to nurturing and guiding the development of future professionals in the field of behavioral analysis.

Madelyn’s focus on enhancing tolerance and positive learning behaviors is evident through the application of behavioral principles, emphasizing
intrinsic motivation to promote the generalization of learned skills across contexts.

April Dyal, BCBA

April Dyal earned a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of South Florida, under the guidance of Raymond Miltenberger and gained extensive practical experience while working closely with Terry Grimes and Steve Ward. While gaining a deep understanding of the practical application of behavioral principles, April discovered the benefits of her natural interest and ability with play and intrinsic motivation. Learners could have fun while learning and April could have fun while teaching! Interactions could be natural and gains could be meaningful. April remains passionate about fostering change through collaborative efforts, leveraging everyday experiences to create exceptional learning opportunities, and disseminating her holistic approach to newcomers in the field.

December 7th at 12pm to 1pm ET

The RBT Crisis: Retention, Buy In, and the Behavioral Science of Keeping Good People

1 SUPERVISION

Discover why RBT turnover is rising and what leaders can do to reverse it. This webinar blends OBM, leadership science, and real‑world clinical experience to reveal the contingencies that drive buy‑in, burnout, and long‑term commitment. Learn practical strategies to strengthen staff engagement, reduce turnover, and improve clinical quality.

PRESENTER(S)

Erica Napers

Erica Napers M.S., BCBA, LBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and neurodiverse individual with extensive experience in clinical leadership, supervision, and systems-level application of Applied Behavior Analysis. Her work emphasizes ethical practice, trauma-informed leadership, staff sustainability, and supporting meaningful, person-centered outcomes for individuals with autism and their families across home, school, clinic, and community settings. As both a clinician and someone with lived neurodivergent experience, Erica brings a unique and compassionate perspective to leadership in ABA. She is particularly passionate about redefining leadership to prioritize psychological safety, reflective supervision, and long-term sustainability for clinicians and clients alike. Through her leadership and training, Erica supports teams in navigating complex behavioral needs, organizational challenges, and ethical decision-making with integrity and humanity.

December 7th at 6pm to 7pm ET

Bosses Behaving Badly: Contingencies of Power in Leaders

1 GenERAL/LEARNING

This presentation applies behavior-analytic principles to the challenge of “managing up.” Participants will explore operant and strategic contingency models of power to understand how access to resources, organizational networks, and reinforcement contingencies can contribute to leaders’ resistance to change.

PRESENTER(S)

Kristyn Peterson

Since entering the field in 2009, Kristyn has worked with a variety of populations and in numerous settings including pediatric autism, medical complexity, traumatic brain injury, and now in Organizational Behavior Management. Kristyn’s time in service delivery helped her build a strong foundation to use the principles of behavior analysis in her consulting engagements. She uses behavior analysis to help organizations create new (or improve existing) processes to address new business needs, getting buy-in from leaders and teams, and enabling them throughout the project so that everyone succeeds.

December 8th at 12pm to 1pm ET

Beyond Diagnosis: ACT Coaching for Veterans and Medicaid Waiver Adults as a Path to Expanded Competence and Independent Practice

1 GenERAL/LEARNING

This seminar presents Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) coaching as a process-based, compassionate care approach and identifies the practitioner skills that allow behavior analysts to expand their scope of competence without departing from first principles.

PRESENTER(S)

Becca Goebel, M.A., BCBA

Becca Goebel is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and owner of B. Goebel Consulting, BCBA, based in Colorado. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Butler University, with coursework spanning cognitive behavioral science, psychology, criminology, and political science, and a master’s degree in Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Becca’s path into behavioral health began in Santa Cruz, California, working with children and adults with disabilities, and deepened through collaborative work alongside licensed therapists, social workers, and fellow BCBAs. This interdisciplinary experience shaped her belief in Contextual Behavioral Science as a more personal, relatable alternative to the standard medical model of ABA. Since relocating to Colorado in 2021, she has specialized in Medicaid waiver and adult behavioral health services, private practice for clients seeking out services based in Contextual Behavioral Science, and provision of behavioral health support for veterans, as well as trainings and workshops for businesses and other providers.

Outside of work, she can be found with her cat Walter, reading her favorite novels, exploring Colorado’s wineries and restaurants, or catching up with friends and colleagues.

December 8th at 6pm to 7pm ET

E.H.E.M. Are you listening? Listening with your Eyes, Heart, Ears, and Mind

1 SUPERVISION

E.H.E.M. – Are You Listening? explores active listening as a critical skill for strengthening supervision, feedback, and professional relationships. Participants will learn to listen with their Eyes, Heart, Ears, and Mind while using behavioral observation, empathy, self-monitoring, and analytical listening to improve rapport and staff receptivity to feedback. This interactive training provides practical strategies for navigating difficult conversations, responding to feedback without defensiveness, and creating supervisory relationships in which people genuinely feel heard.

PRESENTER(S)

Marrie Sallade

M. Kate Sallade, MS, BCBA, LBA, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, entrepreneur, author, and executive leader with more than 18 years of leadership experience. She is the founder and CEO of Behavioral Foundation Centers, a multi-location ABA organization in Florida, and has been a BCBA since 2011. Kate is passionate about developing strong leaders, improving organizational culture, and creating supervisory practices that prioritize staff wellness, ethical decision-making, and high-quality client care. Her work emphasizes practical, behavior-analytic approaches to leadership, communication, and professional development that help supervisors build stronger teams and more meaningful workplace relationships.

December 9th at 12pm to 1pm ET

Nothing changed….or did it? Rethinking Performance Through a Trauma-Informed Lens

1 GENERAL/LEARNING

This training examines behavioral regression and fluctuating performance through a trauma-informed lens while maintaining the rigor of functional, evidence-based assessment.

PRESENTER(S)

Nicole Hayes, MA, MSW, BCBA, LMSW

Nicole is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and social worker whose work focuses on clinical quality, trauma-informed behavior analysis, and the development of ethical, socially meaningful ABA services. In her current role as a quality and training specialist, she supports behavior analysts through clinical review, training, assessment, treatment planning, payer compliance, and supervision. Nicole holds graduate degrees in Forensic Psychology and Social Work, along with postgraduate certificates in Applied Behavior Analysis and trauma practice. Her professional interests include trauma-informed and assent-based care, neurodiversity-affirming practice, clinical decision-making, social validity, and the intersection of behavioral and psychological science. A U.S. Army veteran and former Drill Sergeant, Nicole also brings extensive experience in leadership, training, and systems-level performance improvement to her work developing practical frameworks that help clinicians translate complex concepts into thoughtful, evidence-informed practice.

December 9th at 6pm to 7pm ET

Building Back Better: Why Skepticism Matters

1 GENERAL/LEARNING

This training examines behavioral regression and fluctuating performance through a trauma-informed lens while maintaining the rigor of functional, evidence-based assessment.

PRESENTER(S)

Andrew J. Houvouras IV, MA, BCBA

Andrew Houvouras, BCBA, has been a behaviorist since approximately 1991 and certified since the late 1990s. He serves as the Director of Experiential Training at Florida Institute of Technology, where he is also pursuing his PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis. His recent research focuses on behavioral medicine. An author, he co-wrote Quick Responses for Reducing Misbehavior and Suspensions and is the author of The Lives of the Silent: Stories of Quiet Courage and Connection, a collection of stories highlighting the lives and experiences of people with autism and other developmental disabilities. Outside of behavior analysis, Andrew is happiest in motion—surfing, paddling, hiking, swimming, cycling, or playing just about any sport. He lives in Cocoa Beach, Florida, where he can often be found walking the beach with his French bulldog, Poppy, who chases crabs while Andrew picks up trash. Andrew believes the world needs behavior analysis now more than ever. In a world increasingly shaped by polarization, judgment, and explanations untethered from evidence, he advocates for a science that asks a simpler and more productive question: What can we observe and change in the environment to make life better?

December 10th at 12pm to 1pm ET

The 40-Hour Myth: Why Exam-Eligible Is Not Session-Ready

1.5 GENERAL/LEARNING

This session presents a practical alternative built on the complete Behavior Skills Training sequence, instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback, delivered in that order and shaped to mastery through in-ear coaching during real sessions.

PRESENTER(S)

Crystal A. Harms, MEd, BCBA, LBA

Crystal Harms, MEd, BCBA, LBA, is a behavior analyst, professor, and leader with over 30 years of experience in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Trained at Florida State University and Florida Institute of Technology, she is a charter certificant of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). She served four years on its Board of Directors and Disciplinary Review Committee and continues as a Subject Matter Expert.

Her career spans clinical practice, higher education, and leadership across the U.S. and Canada. A Rowan University ABA faculty member since 2006, Crystal serves as ABA Practicum Coordinator and Clinical Director of the Early Learning ABA Clinic. She is also a Mentor BCBA with Behavior Matters LLC and owner of Bowsprit Consulting LLC. Her dedication to mentorship and training standard-setting behavior analysts has earned her multiple university awards.

December 10th at 6pm to 7pm ET

We Would Analyze It If the Client Did It: Normal Practices, Nonlinear Contingencies, and the Behavior of Behavior Analysts

1 ETHICS

We analyze everything our clients do. But what about us? Behavior analysis has its own version of “normal”—familiar goals, interventions, procedures, and definitions of success that can become so recognizable we stop getting curious about them. This session turns the analysis around and asks an uncomfortable question: Are we functionally analyzing our clinical practice, or just getting really good at its topography?

PRESENTER(S)

Rosalie Byrd Prendergast, MS, BCBA, IBA, NL-2

Rosalie, is a clinical behavior analyst with more than 20 years of experience across home, school, community, equine, and experiential settings. She is the founder of Eclipse Therapy LLC and developer of the Happy Medium Approach, a constructional and contextual framework focused on skill construction, contextual flexibility, and supporting people in living with meaning.

December 10th at 730pm to 830pm ET

From Interview to Empowered Voices: Using the HOPE Profile to Build Interaction

1 GENERAL/LEARNING

Long before they use words, signs, or devices, autistic children communicate — through gaze, reaches, gestures, approach and withdrawal, and early vocalizations. Parents see these signals first, but that knowledge rarely makes it into a usable plan. In this 60-minute session, you’ll learn a clear pathway from caregiver interview to meaningful interaction: use the HOPE Profile (Kasper, 2025) to capture what a child loves, avoids, and already does to communicate, then turn that information into individualized social play chains. Using the INTERACT framework, you’ll practice noticing and honoring a learner’s intent — for likes and dislikes — and coaching caregivers to do the same within everyday home routines. Grounded in NDBI principles and centered on learner assent, the session includes a case example showing measurable gains in vocalization, gaze accuracy, and communicative persistence that carry across people and settings.

PRESENTER(S)

Tamara S. Kasper MS, CCC-SLP, BCBA, LBA

Tamara is a dually certified speech-language pathologist and behavior analyst with nearly 40 years dedicated to advancing engagement, communication, and speech production for individuals with autism. Mentored by Dr. Vincent Carbone, she earned her BCBA in 2006 and later partnered with Nancy Kaufman to develop the K&K Sign/Select to Talk Kit. A WISHA Clinical Achievement Award recipient and ASHA DiCarlo Award nominee, she has contributed to leading texts in ethics and language development for autistic learners. Known for her “inspirational” and “empowering” teaching, Tamara is an international lecturer recognized for practical, evidence-based methods that build early non-vocal communication, social behavioral playchains, assent, AAC, and functional speech. She previously directed The Center for Autism Treatment and now provides consulting, training, and products through Kasper Enterprises.

December 11th at 12pm to 1pm ET

Turning Information into ACTion

1 GENERAL/LEARNING

This presentation will describe an ACT application specifically for BCBAs and ABA professionals working in the real world supporting conversational humans with “problem” behavior and well as consulting with adults to buy into and follow through with plans.

PRESENTER(S)

Kaitlin Wilder

In 15 years as a BCBA Kaitlin Wilder has never been inside an ABA Clinic or supported a nonverbal human. She’s a “problem” behavior BCBA, beginning as a public school special education teacher supporting students with EBD, then district-wide BCBA in general education, all the while supporting autistic humans and their families in-home & community based ABA therapy. After burning out from the limited reach conventional ABA offers conversational humans, she learned RFT & ACT and became a self-employed life coach of “overwhelmed overachievers”, noticing the “problems” in schools spread much, much farther. Now she’s dedicated her career championing “ACT is ABA” and teaching BCBAs a naturalistic, human ACT application built & proven in her ABA practice, especially direct work with PDA clients, life coaching experience, parent training, and school consulting in public & innovative education. She wants every BCBA to know the success and relief they can find broadening their scope, career, and life with ACT.

December 11th at 6pm to 7pm ET

Playing with Flexibility: Gamifying ACT with Autistic Children in Context

1 GENERAL/LEARNING

This study evaluated a gamified Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) protocol with five autistic children receiving ABA services. The six processes of the ACT hexaflex were translated into individualized, child-friendly “superpowers” that participants could practice and use during naturally occurring moments of distress, frustration, or challenge.

PRESENTER(S)

Katelyn Frahm, MS, BCBA, LBA

Katelyn Frahm, M.S., BCBA, LBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Entiva Behavioral Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her clinical work focuses on integrating contextual behavioral science, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Relational Frame Theory (RFT), into applied behavior analysis to improve meaningful outcomes for clients, families, and clinicians. Katelyn is passionate about translating behavioral science into practical, compassionate interventions that promote psychological flexibility, caregiver collaboration, and socially significant behavior change. She has presented on contextual behavior interventions at various national and international conferences and enjoys helping behavior analysts apply evidence-based approaches in everyday practice. At the Rejected Conference, she is honored to present on the gamification of ACT core principles within behavior analytic interventions and encourage participants to consider how to better understand flexibility across contexts as a field.

December 5th at 2pm to 3pm ET

Autistic Play Is Authentic Play: Follow the Pattern, Join the Play, Build the Learning

1 RBT PDU

Autistic play is authentic play. This practical webinar helps behavior technicians move from correcting or redirecting autistic play to becoming curious about what a child’s play communicates and provides. Through an NDBI and neurodiversity-affirming lens, participants will learn to recognize common play schemas, join and expand the play already happening to create meaningful opportunities for communication, engagement, and learning. Using the framework Observe → Understand → Join → Co-Construct → Expand, participants will leave with practical strategies they can immediately use to support assent, maintain client dignity, and embed naturalistic teaching within the child’s authentic play.

PRESENTER(S)

Jamie Hughes-Lika, PhD, BCBA-D, IBA, LBA

Dr. Jamie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the doctoral level (BCBA-D), a licensed behavior analyst (LBA), an International Behavior Analyst (IBA), and an Early Start Denver Model Certified Therapist and Trainer. She has been providing evidence-based services for children with autism and related disorders for over 29 years, and for the past 14 years, she has specialized in interventions for young autistic children (0-4 years). She presents her research at national and international conferences, and her research studies are published in peer-reviewed journals. She is the founder of The NDBI Navigator, an organization dedicated to supporting professionals working with young autistic children. Rooted in the principles of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs), it offers accessible, evidence-based, and developmentally appropriate resources to help clinicians, educators, and behavior analysts turn knowledge into meaningful practice.

December 5th at 3pm to 4pm ET

Beyond: "Do This," & "What is it?": Teaching Imitation and Tacting Through NET

1 RBT PDU

This webinar will explore how RBTs can embed reciprocal imitation training and tacting opportunities into Natural Environment Teaching (NET) to promote connection through socially significant moments with the learner, communication, and generalization.

PRESENTER(S)

Elizabeth Mills

I have been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2017, beginning my career as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in Illinois. Throughout my career, I have relocated across the United States due to military life, providing me with the opportunity to work with a variety of learners, BCBAs, RBTs, and organizations across three states and six companies.

These experiences have allowed me to learn from a variety of clinical approaches, gain valuable insight into the implementation of evidence-based practices, and develop a deeper understanding of what contributes to meaningful and effective ABA services.

I am passionate about providing socially meaningful care that promotes skill generalization within learners’ natural environments. I believe in creating engaging, individualized, and fun learning opportunities that support each learner’s unique needs and goals. I am also committed to sharing my knowledge and experiences to help RBTs build confidence, strengthen their clinical skills, and provide high-quality, compassionate care.

My goal is to continue improving the experiences of our learners while supporting the growth and development of the RBTs who work with them.

December 5th at 4pm to 5pm ET

Receiving Effective Supervision: Getting the Most from Every Supervision Contact

1 RBT PDU

This presentation looks at supervision from the supervisee’s side. It reviews the BACB’s ongoing supervision requirements for RBTs and explains how interobserver agreement (IOA) and procedural integrity protect clients and the people serving them.

PRESENTER(S)

Michael Carrero

Michael Carrero, BCBA, LBA, is Chief Clinical Officer of Hickory Learning Group, Adjunct Faculty teaching research methods and design, Co-Host of Rad N Bad Podcast and Co-Founder of Rad N Bad Behavior Consultants. His work bridges behavioral research and real-world practice, building systems that strengthen workforce competency, leadership, and caregiver involvement. He teaches Ethics and Research Methods with an emphasis on practical, data-driven decision making. A U.S. Army Drill Sergeant and Behavioral Health Specialist, Michael has also applied behavior science to strength and conditioning coaching and dog training. He presents widely on clinical leadership, workforce development, and evidence-based behavior change.

December 5th at 5pm to 6pm ET

Supporting Community Participation Through Climbing: Choice, Assent, and Natural Supports for RBTs

1 RBT PDU

This session uses community climbing as a case example for supporting a client’s participation in a community activity outside the clinic. Participants will review how to offer meaningful choices about route, pace, and level of involvement at a climbing gym.

PRESENTER(S)

Hallie "Hal" Foster

Hallie “Hal” Foster, BCBA, is the founder of Incline Group, LLC, a remote private practice based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Hal holds a Board Certified Behavior Analyst credential, a Licensed Behavior Analyst credential in New York, Virginia, and Minnesota, and a Licensed Behavior Specialist credential in Pennsylvania. Hal has more than 15 years of experience across school districts, inpatient psychiatry, telehealth supervision, and a health care technology startup. Hal volunteers as an adaptive climbing coach at their local climbing gym.

December 5th at 6pm to 7pm ET

Plan, Play, Pivot! Making the Most of Every ABA Session

1 RBT PDU

This presentation will explore practical strategies for organizing individualized ABA sessions that incorporate adaptive routines, learner preferences, therapist-directed activities, and natural opportunities for teaching.

PRESENTER(S)

Sara Smith

Sara Smith is a BCBA at XYZABA in Carrollton, Texas, and a U.S. Army veteran. She holds master’s degrees in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas and Library and Information Science from Texas Woman’s University. Before becoming a BCBA in June 2026, Sara worked as an RBT for two years. She is a Certified Montessori Teacher for children from infancy through age six. Her experience in early childhood education, youth library programming, and environmental education brings a broad educational perspective to her work in behavior analysis.

December 5th at 7pm to 8pm ET

Feedback Without the Freakout: An RBT’s Guide to Building Confidence Through Coaching

1 RBT PDU

This interactive presentation will help RBTs approach feedback with an open mind while taking an active role in their professional growth. Drawing on their experience as BCBAs and RBT Coordinators, Savannah and Ally will explore how to pause and respond thoughtfully, clarify vague feedback, request modeling or practice, and turn a correction into an actionable next step.

PRESENTER(S)

Savannah Vasquez, BCBA

Savannah Vasquez is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and RBT Coordinator at Appleseeds Behavioral Center, supporting the Kennesaw and Douglasville clinics. She joined Appleseeds in January 2022 and grew within the organization from RBT to student analyst to BCBA and RBT Coordinator. Certified since June 2024, Savannah has more than two years of experience as a BCBA. Her own progression gives her a personal understanding of receiving feedback, building confidence, and learning to put clinical skills into practice. She brings that perspective to supporting RBTs through coaching and professional growth.

Ally Moon, BCBA

Ally Moon is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and RBT Coordinator at Appleseeds Behavioral Center, supporting the Cedartown and Rome clinics. Certified since September 2022, Ally has four years of experience as a BCBA and joined Appleseeds in June 2024. Her role connects clinical expectations with the practical support technicians need during everyday sessions. She brings a supervisor’s perspective to helping RBTs clarify feedback, ask for meaningful support, and turn coaching conversations into concrete steps toward stronger skills and greater confidence.

December 5th at 8pm to 9pm ET

From Probe to Plan: RBTs in the Assessment Process

1 RBT PDU

In this presentation, participants will follow the assessment process from initial observations and skill probes through the development of an individualized treatment plan.

PRESENTER(S)

Theresa Praul-DeFrank

Theresa brings over 15 years of experience to Beyond Autism Services in the delivery of ABA Therapy and a lifetime of experience with the special needs community. Growing up, Theresa had a sister with profound intellectual and physical disabilities; her sister was instrumental in her passion and dedication to the field. She received her master’s degree from Eastern University in Clinical Counseling Psychology with concentration in ABA and she immediately went on to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Theresa is passionate about supporting and mentoring staff in their work and career development, advocating for and helping integrate strong support and clinical systems for clients and their families, and collaboration across disciplines.

December 6th at 2pm to 3pm ET

Effective Communication with Parents: Building Trust Through Clarity, Compassion, and Safety

1 RBT PDU

This interactive 1-hour training helps RBTs communicate with parents and caregivers in ways that are clear, compassionate, and trauma-informed, from sharing information within scope to handling difficult conversations. Participants practice jargon-free language, active listening, and objective documentation, and leave with scripts and a personal action plan aligned with the BACB RBT Ethics Code.

PRESENTER(S)

Renee KD Hurff, MA, BCBA, LBA

Renee earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a Minor in Psychology in 1997 from Rutgers University, Camden Campus, and a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2016 from Rowan University. Renee entered the field of ABA through her son who was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 5 and Autism at the age of 7. Renee has worked as a behavior analyst, training director, and IEP advocate in homes, clinics, and schools. She has treated primarily young children through the age of 10 diagnosed with developmental disabilities, mental health diagnoses and other behavioral needs. Renee is passionate about empowering parents to support their child to develop skills needed to increase their independence and ensures both parents and children are able to advocate for their needs and wants. Renee lives in Woodbury Heights, New Jersey with her husband, and adult son.

December 6th at 3pm to 4pm ET

Regulation in Real Time: The Science of Stress, Co-Regulation, Ethical Practice, and Recovery for RBTs

1 RBT PDU

This session teaches behavior‑analytic self‑management skills that support practitioner regulation, treatment fidelity, and ethical service delivery. Participants learn to identify practitioner‑related variables that impact client outcomes, recognize signs of dysregulation and burnout, and apply brief, behaviorally anchored regulation strategies during sessions. Through modeling and guided practice, attendees develop a personalized self‑management plan and learn how to embed these strategies into natural session routines to maintain high‑quality, ethical care.

PRESENTER(S)

Jacqui Williams

Jacqui Williams, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and clinical executive with extensive experience in autism services, behavioral healthcare, organizational leadership, and program development. She currently serves as Chief Clinical Officer, providing strategic leadership in clinical operations, quality assurance, staff development, and service delivery.

Throughout her career, Jacqui has been passionate about improving outcomes for children and families through compassionate, evidence-based care. Her expertise spans clinical program design, behavior analytic assessment and treatment, supervision and mentorship, organizational restructuring, quality improvement, and the development of sustainable service models that balance excellence in care with operational effectiveness.

Recognized for her collaborative leadership style, Jacqui specializes in building high-performing clinical teams, developing future leaders, and creating systems that support both clinical quality and organizational growth. She is particularly interested in trauma-informed, assent-based, and neurodiversity-affirming approaches that honor the dignity and individuality of every learner while promoting meaningful skill development.

In addition to her executive leadership, Jacqui is a speaker, trainer, and mentor who frequently shares practical strategies related to clinical excellence, ethical practice, supervision, staff wellbeing, behavior analytic service delivery, and leadership development. She is committed to advancing the field through education, innovation, and the cultivation of compassionate professionals dedicated to improving lives.

Her mission is to create meaningful, lasting impact for children, families, providers, and communities by combining clinical excellence with authentic human connection.

December 6th at 4pm to 5pm ET

Beyond the Warrior Mentality: Knowing When to Pause, Shift, or Tap Out

1 RBT PDU

Designed for RBTs who are new to this content, this presentation introduces practical ways to recognize our own dysregulation and understand how it can shape our responses.

PRESENTER(S)

Abbey Mix

Abbey is a LMSW and BCBA serving Kent ISD in Grand Rapids, Michigan as the Supervisor of Specialized Programming and Instructional Supports, where she leads Special Education Coaches specializing in Autism, Behavior, and Functional Communication. Her work integrates social work, behavior analysis, applied neuroscience, and education to support compassionate, evidence-informed systems change.

Abbey’s professional interests include anti-ableist work, neurodiversity-affirming practices, reducing the use of restrictive practices, and supporting inclusive educational environments that prioritize dignity, autonomy, communication, and belonging. Through coaching and professional learning, she partners with educators to build proactive systems that improve meaningful outcomes for students.

December 6th at 5pm to 6pm ET

The RBT Clinical Thinking System: Beyond Running Programs

1 RBT PDU

This presentation introduces the RBT Clinical Thinking System through five practical frameworks: SEE, NOW, PAAUSE, LOWER, and SHIFT. Participants will follow one unfolding session to explore how these tools support observation, awareness of staff reactions, and thoughtful responses to changing circumstances.

PRESENTER(S)

Cassie Leutenegger, BCBA

Cassie Leutenegger, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, licensed behavior analyst, clinic director, and former special education teacher. Her experience spans elementary and middle school classrooms as well as clinical practice, giving her a perspective on how behavioral supports translate across educational and therapeutic settings.

As a clinic director, Cassie supports BCBAs and Registered Behavior Technicians through clinical supervision, staff training, and ongoing professional development. She is particularly interested in helping practitioners move from knowing a procedure to understanding how to implement it thoughtfully when sessions become complex. Her approach emphasizes clear expectations and specific feedback, with opportunities to rehearse skills and build confidence through supported practice.

Cassie’s clinical interests include services for adolescents and young adults, naturalistic teaching, self-advocacy, and support for individuals with significant behavioral needs. She draws on acceptance and commitment training (ACT) and contextual behavioral science to inform her approach to supervision and meaningful skill development. She holds a master’s degree in education and has completed doctoral coursework focused on ACT.

Through Adventures in Behavior and AiB Academy, Cassie develops educational resources and professional training that connect behavior science with everyday decisions. Her work reflects a commitment to compassionate, individualized services that support meaningful participation in people’s lives. Whether she is coaching a clinician or developing a training, her goal is the same: make it practical enough to use on Monday morning.

December 7th at 730pm to 830pm ET

Walking the Ethical Tightrope: Public Discourse, Client Dignity, and Digital Behavior Traps on the RBT Frontline

1 RBT PDU

coming soon

PRESENTER(S)

Sean Yocum, MA, BCBA, LBA

Sean Yocum is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, founder and CEO of Hickory Learning Group in Western North Carolina, and co-host of the Rad N Bad Podcast. Rooted in radical behaviorism, Relational Frame Theory (RFT), and functional contextualism, Sean is an outspoken advocate for modernizing behavioral science by stripping away sterile compliance models in favor of human dignity, moment-to-moment assent, and caregiver collaboration. From direct-care technician trenches to clinical leadership, Sean combines candid humor with unvarnished clinical critique, empowering frontline practitioners to navigate modern ethical dilemmas, challenge outdated clinic norms, and practice behavior analysis with empathy and scientific rigor.

December 8th at 730pm to 830pm ET

The RBT Clinical Thinking System: Beyond Running Programs

1 RBT PDU

In this interactive, one-hour workshop, participants will explore how personal experiences, assumptions, and biases can influence their interpretations and professional responses. Grounded in behavior-analytic principles, participants will learn to apply the P.A.U.S.E. framework:

P — Pinpoint what you observed
A — Assess your assumptions
U — Uncover what you don’t know
S — Seek alternative hypotheses
E — Engage effectively

PRESENTER(S)

Karen Yosmanovich, BCBA

Karen Yosmanovich, BCBA, LBS, LBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Licensed Behavior Specialist in Pennsylvania, and Licensed Behavior Analyst in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with a professional background spanning behavior analysis and special education. She is also a certified special education and elementary education teacher and has extensive experience supporting children, families, educators, behavior technicians, and interdisciplinary teams across home, school, community, and clinical settings. Karen’s professional interests include compassionate and person-centered behavior analytic practice, caregiver and professional collaboration, perspective-taking, supervision, and navigating difficult conversations. Through her work with Behavior & Belonging, she emphasizes practical approaches that help professionals pair behavioral science with curiosity, dignity, and an understanding of the perspectives and experiences of the people they support.