When I first had Mark Dixon on the podcast, way back in Session 14, we poked some fun at the notion that principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, on the surface, didn't meet many of the 7 dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Well, in Session 50, I'm joined by Dr. Jonathan Tarbox, and he goes through all the ACT processes, and provides everyday examples of how they are consistent with our science. Specifically, he breaks down each ACT process into a simple to understand Problem Behavior / Replacement Behavior paradigm. So if you've been struggling to pick up the ACT lingo, this is the episode for you!
Jonathan provides tangible scenarios of how to conceptualize the ACT "hexaflex," and how BCBA's can incorporate these concepts into their practice, especially in the context of interacting with parents. In short, he makes a compelling case for BCBA's to learn more about this area of our field.
We talked about a ton of resources in this episode. Here are the associated links (and let me know if I forgot any!):
- Jonathan's appearance on the WWDWWD podcast.
- The ACT in Context Podcast.
- Functionally Speaking Podcast.
- Get Out of Your Mind and in to Your Life, by Steve Hayes.
- The Happiness Trap, by Russ Harris.
- The ACBS website (please consider joining).
- Evaluating the Effects of ACT on the Overt Behavior of Parents of Children with Autism (Gould, Tarbox, & Coyne, 2017).
- Guitierrez, Luciano, Rodriguez, & Fink (2004). An ACT study on pain tolerance.
- The ACT for ABA Practitioners Facebook group. Check out the pinned post by Dr. Evelyn Gould, which gives instruction on where to get some of the parent training materials that Jonathan discussed.
If you enjoy this episode, please consider sharing it with your colleagues and friends!
Finally, this episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:
- Chartlytics, realizing human potential through individual behavior change analytics. Click here for a free, newly revised & expanded eBook, a free Type 2 CE, and discount coupons to upcoming training events.
- Behavior Development Solutions, check out their supervisory training course with Drs. Jon Baily & Mary Burch!
- The BARE Essentials of Digital Marketing webinar, on May 16th, 2018. Join me, Adrienne Fitzer of ABAC, and Session 15 guest and President of Flyte New Media, Rich Brooks, to discuss the ethical marketing of ABA practices (2 Ethics CE's available).
- Oh, and if you're on the go, but need CE's across a wide range of topics, check this out.
Thank you for this episode! Mind Blown!
Hi Maralina, I’m so glad you enjoyed this episode as much as I did. Definitely one of the most thought provoking!!!
The episode is great! It was very informative. I did not hear anything about how data was collected or if it was. Do you have additional information about this area?
No I don’t, but with a little googling, I’m sure you can find Jonathan’s contact info and ask him. I’m so glad yo enjoyed the episode! I have gotten tons of great feedback on this one. All the best, Matt
Pat Friman, Greg Hanley and now Jonathan Tarbox!! The podcast was amazing!! Dr. Tarbox explained ACT in a way that was so much easier to grasp, and I loved the way he shared it in a behavior analyst perspective.
Glad you enjoyed the episode!!! You’re right, Jonathan is really effective in explaining the ACT processes in a way that BCBA’s can really relate to. I shared your comments with him too. Thanks for taking the time to write in!!!! Best, Matt
This is a must hear for anyone who wishes to understand ACT and how it relates to behavior analysts’ work. I loved it and learned so much!!
Karin, I agree 100% and passed your comments on to Jonathan. Thanks for writing in!
Thanks very much for this podcast. You mentioned that Evelyn Gould’s training manual used in the study ‘Evaluating the effects of ACT training on the Overt behaviour of parents of Children with Autism’, Should I contact Evelyn or is it available elsewhere? Thanks again Alan
Hey Alan,
I recommend joining the ACT for ABA practitioners Facebook group, and if memory serves, there’s a pinned post in which you can leave your email address. When doing that, Evelyn will send you the materials.
Thanks!!!
Matt
Brilliant Matt, thanks very much. And thanks for all your work on the podcast, I spent the weekend painting and doing chores and I was very glad to have you and your guests for company 🙂 Alan
That’s awesome, thanks so much for sharing!!
Hey Matt,
I remember Tarbox had mentioned that Gould had the scripts that they used for their parent training sessions and you said you might try to get a hold of those and put them up on your website. Did you manage to find those scripts?
Hey Chelsea, I think if you join the ACT for ABA Practitioners FB group, and then search for posts and files related to parent training, you’ll find it. If after that you aren’t successful, I’d post a question to the group, and I believe someone will hook you up. I tried to get the direct pdf to download but the authors, if memory serves, preferred people to go through the group.
Best, Matt