The NCABA 21st Annual Conference was held at the Twin City Quarter in Winston Salem, February 17 – 19, 2010.  The meeting included pre and post-conference workshops, invited addresses, and concurrent sessions devoted to the topic of Behavior Analysis as well as our annual poster session, social, and silent auction events. 

     The array of topics presented at the six pre and post conference workshops was varied, consistent with the impact that behavior analysis is having across a wide number of disciplines and clinical problems.  These CEU events were well received by the 152 people attending.  Topics ranged from analysis and treatment of repetitive behavior disorders (Ray Miltenberger from University of South Florida), to insurance coverage for ABA services (Kristie Thompson from OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions), to the use of differential reinforcement as treatment for severe behavior disorders (Tim Vollmer, University of Florida).  Other well-received workshop topics were performance blueprints (Tim Ludwig from Appalachian State University), separate autism classrooms (Lori Stuart), and ethical problems faced by Behavior Analysts (Duke Schell from J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center). 

     One hundred seventy-three  people attended the NCABA conference which included one hundred nineteen full members, six paraprofessionals, nineteen students, one nonmember and twenty-eight speakers.  Sixty people who attended also received BCBA credits.  We were extremely fortunate to have a number of individuals pre-eminent in the field in attendance and several provided invited addresses.   A special thanks to our invited speakers which included  Jerry Shook, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Martin Ivancic from J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center, Ray Miltenberger from the University of South Florida, Denny Reid from Carolina Behavior Analysis and Support Center, Jim Bodfish from the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and UNC Chapel Hill, Tim Ludwig from Appalachian State University and Tim Vollmer from The University of Florida.  This year, we were also fortunate to have a wonderful array of topics presented during nine concurrent sessions.  Kerry McIver from University of South Florida, Bryan Crisp, and Christine Hughes from UNC-Wilmington started off the sessions followed by presentations from Kristie Thompson from OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions, Jeannie Golden from East Carolina University and Ray Pitts from UNC-Wilmington.  The final three concurrent sessions were presented by Carole Van Camp from UNC-Wilmington, Miguel Ampuero and Cassondra Gaymen from The Mariposa School for Children with Autism, Ruth Hurst from The University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Charles Wood, Keri Stevenson and Christy Hicks from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  Again, the response of attendees to these talks was overwhelmingly positive.

    Duke Schell, chaired our professional Symposium on the influence of health condition as motivating operations on the display of problem behaviors of people with developmental disabilities.  A special thanks to all who participated including Jim Clark, Clare Thornhill, Brad Cleary and Kelly Sutton all from J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center. 

     Our student representative, Jason Boye, did a wonderful job of organizing and chairing our student panel of presenters.  Student presenters included Alicia Saunders from The Unviversity of North Carolina at Charlotte, Allison Ivancic from Appalachian State University, and Anastassia Weaver, Albee Ongsuco and Shannon Brooks all students at East Carolina University.  Following the  Symposium the students had their first annual Student Gathering allowing them to meet and talk to the students running for Student Representative prior to voting.  

     The poster session included posters from undergraduate and graduate student researchers as well as practicing professionals.  This year, we awarded prizes to outstanding posters in three categories: undergraduate, graduate, and professional. The undergraduate award went to Alison Ivancic, Appalachian State University: Categorization of Dreams by Basic Reinforcement Function.  The graduate award went to Bethany Smith, UNC at Charlotte:  Teaching Restaurant Menu Words and Classification Using Simultaneous Prompting and Embedded Non-Target Information.
The professional award went to Skip O'Neal, MS, OTR/L, Caswell Developmental Center and Beth P. Velde, PhD, OTR/L, East Carolina University:  Psychophysiological effects of deep pressure sensory stimulation with an adult with profound intellectual disabilities during routine nail care.

     Our Silent Auction, T-Shirt sales, and Raffle were successful.  Altogether, these events raised just under $1000.  This money will help defray future conference expenses and help in the sponsorship of student attendees.  Thanks to all who donated or purchased an auction item and to those to purchased T-Shirts and Raffle Tickets.

     During our annual NCABA Business Meeting, newly elected officers were announced.  Ya-yu Lo is our new President while Jennifer Deacon is moving on into the Past President position.  Mark Stafford is now our President Elect.  Jim Phillips join us for another tour of duty as Vice-President.  We are fortunate that Beth Schmitt remains as Secretary and Nancy Poteet remains as Treasurer.  Callie Planter is our newly elected Member-at-Large along with Vicki Harper. Our new student representative is Alicia Saunders from UNC-Charlotte.  Welcome to all the new members and thanks to all those who will continue on with the executive council.  Of special mention are Fred Spooner, Jamie Clary and Duke Schell.  Fred serves as the Senior NCABA Board Advisor.  Jamie Clary remain as a non-voting Board member as our NCABA web editor.  Duke will remain as our liaison to ABAI and other related groups. Ruth Hurst will remain on the board as the University Liason.

    Our award recipients received a round of applause at the opening of the conference.  Jeff Holden received the Fred Keller Excellence in  Behavior Analysis Award.  Other recipients included Sarah Geiger for the Technical Utilization Award, April Mustian received the Student Scholarship and Martin Ivancic received the "Do Things" Award.  Congratulations to all!

     I would like to send a special thanks to all of the members of the executive council who worked so hard to make the 21st Annual NCABA conference a special event for all.  I would also like to thank the graduate student helpers for their help throughout the conference as well as our entertainment, The Bad Ash Band.  See you next year for the 22nd Annual NCABA Conference!!!

 

--Jennifer Deacon, Past President

2010 Conference Highlights

Thank you to all who supported the 2010 conference in Winston-Salem, NC.