1st Annual Hunter College Applied Behavior Analysis Conference

Friday, March 14, 2025
8:30 am- 2:30 pm
Roosevelt House, 47-49 E 65th Street, New York, NY 10065
Registration: $25 for all Hunter students with valid ID
$35 entry fee for all others
$75 for continuing education credits

Speaker: April N. Kisamore (she/her), Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA (NY)

Brief bio:

Dr. Kisamore has been active in the field of applied behavior analysis over 20 years. Her research and practice focuses primarily on meeting the skill acquisition, problem-solving, and language development needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan. She is currently an Associate Professor, the Director of Programs in Applied Behavior Analysis, and Chair of the Special Education Department at Hunter College. Dr. Kisamore is also a Director at The Capstone Center in Wayne, NJ. Dr. Kisamore has published in areas such as verbal behavior, problem solving, social skills, managing challenging behavior, and parent training in books and several peer-reviewed journals and she has presented her work at local, national, and international conferences.

Title: Strategies for Teaching Visual Imagining as a Problem-Solving Strategy

Abstract:

Some people learn to problem solve incidentally, but others might require more explicit instruction. In this presentation we will look at problem solving from a behavior analytic perspective. I will identify common examples of problem solving, describe research on teaching both neurotypical children and children with autism spectrum disorder to imagine as a way to problem solve academic tasks, make some recommendations for future visual imagining research, and also share some suggestions for teaching visual imagining in clinical practice.

Speaker: Lauren K. Schnell-Peskin (she/her) Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA (NY)

Brief bio:

Dr. Lauren Schnell-Peskin (she/her) has worked in the field of applied behavior analysis for nearly 18 years. Dr. Schnell-Peskin completed her Ph.D in applied behavior analysis from Caldwell University and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Applied Behavior Analysis programs at Hunter College in New York City. Her practice focuses primarily on meeting the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan. Dr. Schnell-Peskin has published in areas such as educator and caregiver training, instructional design, and efficiency of instruction, in books and peer-reviewed journals and has presented her work at local, national, and international conferences.

Title: Building a Community of Learners: How to Foster Cooperation while Teaching

Abstract:

This presentation will explore effective strategies for fostering cooperation in learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants will gain practical tools to promote collaborative behaviors during teaching. This presentation will cover topics such as, creating supportive environments using environmental arrangements, establishing rapport, and delivering non-contingent reinforcement. By the end of the presentation, participants will be equipped with a variety of techniques to enhance cooperation and build positive relationships with learners with ASD.

Speaker: Nicole L. Stewart (she/her), MSEd, BCBA, LBA-NY

Brief bio:

Nicole is an ambitious, driven and dedicated educator and behavior analyst who has been in this field for almost 20 years. Nicole currently works in private practice working with a wide range of children across settings and needs. Her background has afforded her the ability to work with children with a wide variety of needs in almost every setting. This experience has created an eclectic and outside-the-box approach to therapy that blends scientific knowledge, developmental understanding, educational standards and therapeutic treatments. In addition to direct practice, Nicole regularly conducts online CEU workshops, is on the board of NJABA and the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) and is an adjunct professor at CUNY-Hunter College.

Title: Wading through Social Skills: Choosing and Planning for Play and Friendship

Abstract:

For neurodivergent individuals, social skills development is likely to be impacted. This presentation will dive into appropriate social skills at given ages to set meaningful and achievable goals for clients. Participants will explore evidence-based strategies for selecting social skills targets interventions tailored to each child’s unique development and age. Through interactive discussions and practice examples, attendees will gain valuable insights and tools to foster social growth utilizing applied behavior analysis.

Schedule of Events:

8:30 – 9:15 – Registration with continental bk
9:15 – 10:30 – Strategies for Teaching Visual Imagining as a Problem-Solving Strategy
10:30–10:45- Coffee Break
10:45 – 12:00 – Building a Community of Learners: How to Foster Cooperation while Teaching 12:15 – 1:15– Lunch provided by Hunter
1:15 – 2:30 – Wading through Social Skills: Choosing and Planning for Play and Friendship