Dear CalABA Members and Conference Attendees:

The 2004 CalABA conference truly covers everything from A to Z in behavior analysis. From Gina Green’s workshop presenting the latest research in teaching discrimination skills to learners with autism, to Gary Priest's keynote address on the application of behavioral principles to exotic animal management at the San Diego Zoo, the 2004 CalABA conference promises to be one of the most exciting and informative ever - so if you are going to only one conference this year, it should be this one!

B.F. Skinner said, "The methods of science have been enormously successful whereever they have been tried. Let us then apply them to human affairs." The theme for the 2004 CalABA conference -- Changing Behavior, Changing Lives -- reflects CalABA’s commitment to improve the world we live in by advancing the science of behavior analysis and the successful and responsible application of that science.

CalABA's ties to conceptual and experimental analyses of behavior remain strong, and we are fortunate to be joined this year by renowned researchers and thinkers including Bob Allen, Tom Critchfield , Michael Dougher, Iver Iversen, Frances McSweeney, Allen Neuringer, Grayson Osborne, and David Palmer.

The 2004 CalABA conference features presentations that span the range of disciplines in which behavior analysts have conducted research and developed applications, including education and child development, autism and developmental disabilities, language acquisition, personal development and mental health, public health, and organizational behavior. Workshops will provide training in such diverse areas as: legal aspects of behavioral intervention (John Youngbauer); ethics (Wayne Fuqua and Rick Spates); anxiety disorders (Rick Spates); treatment of habits and tics in children (Greg Nunn); fluency and autism (Michael Fabrizio); Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior (Mark Sundberg); relationship between drugs and behavioral interventions (Frans van Haaren); functional assessment and analysis (Jose Rios and John Youngbauer); and writing effective IEPs (Frans van Haaren). Interventions for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities are well-represented in workshops offered by Judy Agnew, Kim Casseratto, Mila Amerine-Dickens, Sebastien Bosch, Scott Cross, Gina Green, Kim Huynen, Chanti Long, and Sally Roth and Sarah White. In addition, Bob and Lynn Koegel from the University of California at Santa Barbara are offering their workshop on Pivotal Response Training.

Featured presentations will be given by notable behavior analysts, educators, and researchers including Laura Hall, Bill Hartman, Mel Hovell, Ernst Moerk, Gary Novak, Amy Odom, Meeta Patel, Jim Partington, Bill Potter, Tim Shahan, Jerry Shook, Tim Slocum, Aubyn Stahmer, Janet Twyman, Ernie Vargas, and Julie Vargas. Keynote addresses are scheduled from Jim Johnston, Aubrey Daniels, George Sugai, and Brian Iwata to inform us about such contemporary topics as Positive Behavioral Support, descriptive assessments of behavior, school-wide interventions, and lessons from business applications of behavior analysis. We are especially honored by the presence of Murray Sidman, whose contributions to our science are legendary. His keynote address on Saturday morning titled “Behavior Analysis: What’s in it for us?” should not be missed. And this is just a brief sampling! All of this - and much more - is scheduled for our attendees. Review the entire program to truly appreciate how valuable your attendance at the conference will be to your professional development.

CalABA’s breadth of offerings in the applied, basic, and conceptual aspects of behavior analysis make it unique among regional conferences. The size of the conference makes it possible for many meaningful exchanges to occur during and between sessions. Our special events are designed to promote a better understanding of the past, present, and future of the field. Whether this is your first or 22nd time at CalABA, we welcome you and invite you to partake of the rich offerings at this conference.

Jane S. Howard, Ph.D., BCBA
Cathy Watkins, Ph.D., BCBA