Dr. Mark Dixon

Clinical Professor, Disability and Human Development, Faculty Director, Training Coordinator, DHD Family Clinic, Clinical Professor, Rehabilitation Sciences

Dr. Dixon is a clinical professor in the Department of Disability & Human Development and the Behavior Analysis and Therapy Discipline Director in the Illinois LEND Program at University of Illinois-Chicago. (UIC). Dr. Dixon received both his M.S. and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Department of Psychology. He has authored over 230 peer-reviewed journal articles, 12 books, and delivered 1000s of presentations around the globe.  He was ranked as one of the top 10 publishing behaviour analysts in the world in a recent peer-reviewed listing, and has held key positions within the discipline’s professional societies during the past two decades. Mark was the founder and first president of the Illinois Association for Behavior Analysis, a board member twice for the Association for Behavior Analysis International, and the editor of 2 of the society’s 4 peer-reviewed journals. His research can be described as transcending the basic to practice divide with contributions as broad as to include work on terrorism, gambling disorders, autism, mental health, staff performance, job place safety, golfer skills, gerontology, ADHD, classroom management, mindfulness, therapy techniques, and neuroimaging. Within this myriad of contexts Dr. Dixon echoes a single theme - complex human behavior is predictably influenced by the language one constructs, is exposed to, or has history with. And once these causes are known, interventions can be instated to help promote more healthy well-being - regardless of population or presenting condition.  Mark’s work and/or expert opinion on these matters have exceeded the scientific literature into the mainstream media, as he has made appearances in Newsweek, National Public Radio’s This American Life, Netflix’s Bill Nye Saves the World, and many others. 

SESSION

BUILDING LANGUAGE SKILLS WITH PEAK & A.I.M.

October 20, 2023 - 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Decades have passed since the first behavior-analytic treatments attempted the development of language abilities for persons with autism and other related conditions.  During this same timeframe, a number of advancements were made in the basic behaviour analytic science that led some of us to a reconceptualization of the potential treatment approaches that could be possible.  Relational Frames change everything.  The three-term contingency is only partially responsible for controlling human behaviour.  Over the past decade, the impact of Relational Frame Theory has moved to the front line for many behaviour analysts through its incorporation into the PEAK Relational Training System and the Accept. Identify. Move. (AIM) curriculums which make these once abstract concepts easy for any behavior analyst to understand and implement with clients they serve.  This presentation will show that all ABA approaches are not the same in terms of client outcomes and that the breadth of our treatments can be enhanced by harnessing the potential of relational frames.  A brief overview of both PEAK and AIM assessment and treatment tools will be described, along with data ranging from randomized trials, whole school building implementations, single-subject designs, and predictive regression models that suggest key factors influencing treatment outcomes.  

Learning Objectives

1.     Describe the paradigm shift that is occurring in behaviour analysis today.

2.     List and provide examples of the various relational frame families.

3.     Summarize two main research findings on the value of including RFT and ACT in ABA treatment approaches.

1.5 BACB Learning CEUs

This session is sponsored by HRI Colorado. HRIC specializes in placing Board Certified Behavior Analysts in home, center, school, or community settings throughout the United States. Find candidates or search available positions at hricolorado.com.

SPEAKER PREVIEW

Stay tuned for Dr. Mark Dixon’s speaker teaser.