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We are very proud to announce and pleased for achieving these milestones in our ABA education.

🎓 Taryn has completed her Masters in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Monash University.
🎓 Madhura has successfully defended her doctoral dissertation and earned her PhD in ABA from Endicott College.

We would like to thank everyone who supported us through our journey!

#mastersinaba #phdinaba #monashuniversity #endicottcollege #iabsatendicott #proactiveba

We pride on our data collection and evidence based decision making.

#behaviouranalysis #sydney #evidencebasedpractice

I am very excited that this paper is finally published! A huge thank you to Peter Gerhardt and Jessica Cauchi Ph.D., BCBA-D, CPBA-AP, R.B.A. (Ont)! The paper would not have made it without them. If you use the SAFER Tool, please reach out and let me know how you found it!

Here is the link: https://link.springer.com/epdf/10.1007/s11195-025-09909-7?sharing_token=7wWmlXIhI0UXz-cS_BrKoPe4RwlQNchNByi7wbcMAY5ehgvTp7qhmCRSm6oj9SWjmAsvdwG0puxWKOehKlvYfaD74t-33_2HvuDLyQhoUEhcIg4Y5ipevpe9uCi05NggVO-C2cbCo5PiI4SErg3GptbnWgB5RtscX-hJ9SgyDCQ%3D

#sexualityanddisability #SAFER

The SAFER Tool: Promoting Independence and Safety in Sexual Education for Individuals with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities
Deshpande, M., Cauchi, J., & Gerhardt, P. (2025). Sexuality and Disability, 43:32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-025-09909-7
Individuals with profound autism and intellectual disabilities require significant daily support yet remain underserved in research and intervention resources. Although most behavior analysts work within autism services, few focus on individuals with extensive support needs. “Profound autism” typically refers to individuals needing continuous care, often with limited communication and notable intellectual impairments.
To address the lack of sexuality education for this population, the SAFER (Sexual Awareness and Focused Education Review) tool was developed. This structured assessment guides practitioners in evaluating and teaching essential sexual health and safety skills. The tool examines communication, consent, physical safety, and hygiene through participant responses, caregiver input, and direct observation.
The SAFER tool provides a culturally responsive and behaviorally grounded framework to promote autonomy, dignity, and safety. By systematizing assessment and instruction, it bridges a critical gap in sexuality education for individuals with profound disabilities, improving quality of life and ensuring ethical, individualized support.
Developed by Proactive Behaviour Analysts

Semester 2 at Monash! Let’s go!

#monashuniversity #monashaba #mastersinaba #bcbasinthemaking

It was an absolute pleasure and honour to hear Dr Patrick McGreevy speak at the 10th Annual ABA Australia Conference in Adelaide. His keynote address set the tone for the team to look for effective teaching and intervention strategies to establish meaningful skills and goals for all our learners. The constructional was quite exciting and animal behaviour stream was on welfare, choice and cooperative care.

##abaaadelaide2025 #abaausstraliaconferece #abaconference #adelaide

Part 2/2

To now be part of a continuing education series housed within ABA Technologies—a platform that also includes Jose’s own contributions—feels like a full-circle moment.

To stand alongside such brilliant professionals in this space, on a topic that is both essential and too often overlooked, is truly an honour. This series will remain a highlight in my career as a behaviour analyst, and I’m beyond grateful to have played even a small part in it.

Part 1/2

I’m incredibly proud to share something close to my heart. Thanks to Dr. Peter Gerhardt and Dr. Jessica Cauchi, I had the opportunity to contribute to the ABA Technologies CE series, "Sexuality on the Spectrum."

This one feels especially meaningful. I began my ABA journey at Florida Tech in 2011, having studied under the late Dr. Jose Martinez-Diaz. (Contd...)

—— SERIES BUNDLE:
Sexuality on the Spectrum

Sm Instructors: JESSICA CAUCHI, PhD, BCBA-D. CPBA-AP
MADHURA DESHPANDE. MS, BCBA AMY GRAVINO, MA, CAS
LINDA FOX. BCBA, CSHE DR. SHANE T. SPIKER, PhD, BCBA-D. IBA SHANNA BAHRY. PhD. BCBA-D. LABA. LBA ZOSIA ZAKS, PhD

PROACTIVE BEHAVIOUR ANALYSTS

We are a tiny company but we take each data point very seriously.

#dataondatacollection #abainterventions #evidencebasedpractice #datadrivenpractice #bcbalife #behaviouranalysis

37622 DATA POINTS COLLECTED
674 TARGETS COMPLETED
351 SESSION NOTES MADE
144 PROGRAMS ADDED TO PROACTIVE LIBRARY

If data collection was a sport We Would have a gold medal!

Very pleased to receive a teaching excellence letter from the Dean of Faculty of Education of Monash University! I am always so grateful for the opportunity to give back to the field of behaviour analysis and be a part of the journey of future behaviour analysts! This was a wonderful acknowledgement to receive. I am already looking forward to teaching in Sem 1, 2025!

#mastersofappliedbehaviouranalysis
#MonashUniversity #graduateteachingassociate #futurebehaviouranalysts

# MONASH University B i Faculty of Education

26 November 2024 Madhura Deshpande Dear Madhura On behalf of the Faculty of Education | would like to congratulate you on an excellent Student Evaluation of Teaching and Units (SETU) result for EDF5679 offered at the Clayton campus in Semester 2/Term 3, 2023. As a staff member responsible for contributing to the teaching quality in this unit, I'd like lo acknowledge your commitment to teaching excellence and students' learning as demonstrated through this unit offering. The unit has received a median score for the overall satisfaction item of 4.85 out of 5; the criterion for judging a unit's performance as being “outstanding” being a median value of 4.7 or greater. | commend you for the effort and dedication that has been put into the preparation and delivery of this unit to achieve such a superb result. The quality of our unit offerings is a key element in ensuring a transformalive educational experience for our students. The contribution this unit makes to these goals has been exemplary and | want to thank you, personally, for your efforts. Once again, congratulations on this result and | look forward to your continued outstanding teaching performance. Yours sincerely Professor Viv Ellis Dean, Faculty of Education

Christina Luongo and Madhura explored the integration of cultural humility in sex education for individuals with autism.

April Cussen and Madhura, presented on how shifting from traditional punishment-based methods to a constructional approach in dressage training.

#AutismEducation #dressage #sexeducation
#ConstructionalApproach #abaaustralia

A big thank you to April and Christina for their collaboration, support and presenting with me at the ABAA 9th Annual Conference

CHANGING STRIDES IN EQUINE TRAINING THE ROLE OF THE CONSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH IN DRESSAGE

SEXUAL EDUCATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM - CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

🥳

PROACTIVE BEHAVIOUR ANALYSTS We are pleased to share that Proactive has obtained NDIS registration

Special thanks to Dr. Peter Gerhardt for setting up the opportunity for his advisees, including me, to present at the collaboration panel and for putting my name forward as a panelist for the assent panel. I am very grateful! Meeting my lab mates was so special! In other news, a chapter I co-authored has been published!

Finished off the conference this weekend feeling very proud and happy.

#abai50thannualconvention #behaviouranalysis #philadelphia #bcba #doctoralstudent #futurebcbad

Looking forward to the panel discussions.

#abai2024 #abai50thannualconvention #abaconference #bcba #abaiphiladelphia #endicottcollge #iabsatendicott

< ( 50TH ANNUAL CONVENTION; PHILADELPHIA, — LWl r 2 — o = Event Detail - Association for Behavior Analysis Inter... m Panel #270 A Collaboration for Improving Quality of Behaviour Analytical Services Across the United States of America, Canada, and Ll-l Australia = Sunday, May 26, 2024 12:00 PM-12:50 PM < Convention Center, 100 Level, 103 C A Area: AUT/DDA; Domain: Service Delivery Co— Chair: Peter F. Gerhardt (The EPIC Programs) = MADHURA DESHPANDE (Endicott College) m BRANDI PENTLAND (Endicott College) ABBY MCNULTY (Endicott College) v Abstract: Practitioners in the field of behaviour analysis encounter N similar challenges when providing services to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual or c Developmental Disabilities worldwide. This panel brings N together experts from the United States, Canada, and Australia to collectively discuss these common obstacles. & ABAI 50th Annual Convention: Panel 1 »@ Collaboration for Improving Quality of Behaviour PROACTIVE Analytical Services Across the United States of BEHAVIOURANALYSTS America, Canada and Australia

< Event Detail - Association for Behavior Analysis Inter... Panel #421 CE Offered: BACB — Ethics = [75] Assent and Cultural Sensitivity Walk Into a Bar...: An m Examination of the Latest Ethical Dilemma Faced by Behavior Analysts A Monday, May 27, 2024 LLJ 10:00 AM-10:50 AM = Convention Center, 100 Level, 103 C Area: AUT/DDA; Domain: Service Delivery < CE Instructor: Myra Jade Lui, Ph.D. I Chair: Myra Jade Lui (POPARD) MERRILL WINSTON (Winston Behavioral Solutions, Inc.) JANE PAUL (Excella Developmental Services) = MADHURA DESHPANDE (Endicott College) m Abstract: The most recent edition of the Ethical Code for Behavior q Analysts introduces the term ‘assent’ under 2.11 (Obtaining Informed Consent), stating that behavior analysts are N ‘responsible for obtaining assent from clients when applicable’. The glossary provided defines assent as ‘Vocal c or non-vocal verbal behavior that can be taken to indicate N willingness to participate in... behavioral services by individuals who cannot provide informed consent'. The same & ABAI 50th Annual Convention: Panel 2 éz Assent and Cultural Sensitivity Walk Into a Bar...: An Examination of the Latest Ethical PROACTIVE ¢ _ seHaviouranawss Dilemma Faced by Behaviour Analysts

After extensive effort, our systematic literature review on group contingencies with adults was published today. It focuses on diverse populations, and examines group contingencies across various settings. These include workplaces, addiction management programs, group homes, sports teams, and hospital performance management to name a few. Happy to see it published

https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.2027

LITERATURE REVIEW WILEY . . .

A systematic literature review of group contingencies with adults

Angela Fuhrmann-Knowles' | Madhura Deshpande | Justin B. Leaf

I have been invited as a panelist at the Endicott College's Institute for Applied Behavioural Science's 4th Annual DEIB Conference.

If you are going to be awake then come join me from Sunday, June 15 2024 from midnight to 4am AEST 😅
#ABA #Endicott

I'm looking forward to presenting at Endicott College's 12th Annual Autism Parent Conference. I'll be talking about ASD and Adulthood, focusing on quality of life and the role of behavior analysts.

The conference starts at 10 am EST on Saturday, April 6th, which is 1 am on Sunday, April 7th AEST for those in Australia. If anyone in Australia is interested but can't make the live timing,

I will be sharing my slides afterwards.🙂

12th Annual Autism Parent Conference - Saturday April 6th 10am-2pm EST

We will be discussing the latest article by Tincani, Brodhead and Dowdy (2024) titled “ABA Promotes Autonomy and Choice of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities”

ABA enhances the lives of those with IDD by fostering autonomy through strategies like preference assessments and communication techniques.

The article discusses these methods' importance, current challenges, and future research needs.

#bcbajournalclub
#abajournalclub

Journal Club - 25th March 2024 by Proactive Behaviour Analysts.

We will discuss the article how "ABA promotes autonomy and choice of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities" by Tincani, Broadhead and Dowdy (2024)

Semester 1 kicked off tonight for Masters of Applied Behaviour Analysis at #monashuniversity

This semester, Madhura is teaching her favourite unit again - Functional behaviour assessments and treatment which introduces budding behaviour analysts and behaviour support practitioners to designing effective FBAs and develop meaningful function based behaviour support plans.

#monashuniversity #associatelecturer #appliedbehavioranalysis #mastersinaba

Madhura is teaching her favourite unit at the Monash University - Masters of ABA 2024, 'Functional Behaviour Assessments and Treatment'.

Madhura will be presenting as a part of a panel along with her PhD advisor, Dr Peter Gerhardt and her PhD colleagues Abby McNulty and Brandi Pentland at ABAI's 50th Annual Convention. Our panel will discuss "Collaboration for Improving Quality of Behaviour Analytical Services across the United States of America, Canada, and Australia."

#ABAIconvention2024 #ABA #ProactiveBehaviourAnalysts #BehaviorAnalysis #ABAI50

. ABAl Team 06:14 & To: Madhura Deshpande > Important Information Regarding Your 2024 Annual Convention Presentation Submission ID: 86752 Submission Type: Panel Submission Title: Collaboration for Improving Quality of Behaviour Analytical Services across the United States of America, Canada, and Australia. Congratulations again on the acceptance of your submission for presentation at ABAI’s 50th Annual Convention!

Happy Holidays from Proactive Behaviour Analysts and looking forward to a great 2024! 🎄 🎅 🎁

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