There is excitement in the air as behavior analysts around the U.S. and abroad make their way to the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) annual convention in San Diego. The conference is prime time to get updated on the most recent advances in our science and to connect with friends and colleagues. Looking for Continuing Education Credits (CEs)? You can’t beat the flat rate for the CE Package offered by ABAI. The convention program includes 16 ‘Areas’ including a content rich Verbal Behavior Program Area.
Here are a few highlights from this program area: The B.F Skinner Lecture Series will feature Dr. Diane Larsen-Freeman from the University of Michigan who will deliver a presentation titled “A Complex Adaptive Systems View of Language and Second Language Development.” The Invited Paper Session will feature Dr. Eric Arntzen from Oslo and Akershus University College. The title of his talk is: “On the Search for Verbal Mediation in Delayed-Matching-To-Sample Arrangements and Emergent Relations.” Also, the Verbal Behavior Special Interest Group will hold its annual business meeting on Sunday evening where there will be several announcements of student and professional awards and a raffle for some fabulous prizes! Make sure to stop by the SIG’s EXPO poster on Saturday night for an opportunity to buy tickets for this raffle.
Below I will highlight some other invited events and symposia related to verbal behavior. There are so many interesting talks this year – you will most certainly have a hard time choosing amongst all of the great speakers!
#16 Symposium
Saturday May 26, 2018: 10:00-10:50 AM
Manchester Grand Hyatt, Seaport Ballroom F
Chair: M. Fernanda Welsh (The ABRITE Organization)
#31 Symposium
Managing Generative Processes in the Development of Early Verbal Behavior Repertoires
Saturday May 26, 2018: 10:00-11:50 AM
Manchester Grant Hyatt, Seaport Ballroom G
Chair: Kalle M Laitinen (Personalized Accerlated Learning Systems)
Discussant: Sarah Lechago (University of Houston-Clear Lake)
#35 Symposium
Saturday May 26, 2018: 10:00-11:50 AM
Manchester Grand Hyatt, Seaport Ballroom DE
Chair: Casey J. Clay (University of Missouri)
Discussant: Rocio Rosales (University of Massachusetts Lowell)
#40 Symposium
Advancements in Emergent Responding Research for Children With Autism
Saturday May 26, 2018P 10:00-11:50 AM
Manchester Grant Hyatt, Grand Hall B
Chair: Andresa De Souza (Marcus Autism Center, Emory University)
Discussant: Dave Palmer (Smith College)
#50 Symposium
Rules, Derived Relational Responding, and Understanding Complex Language
Saturday, May 26, 2018: 11:00 AM–12:50 PM
Manchester Grand Hyatt, Seaport Ballroom F
Chair: Haley Davis (Southern Illinois University)
Discussant: Leah Verkuylen (Navigation Behavioral Consulting)
#72 Symposium
Variables Affecting Tact Acquisition and Outcomes of Tact Instruction
Saturday, May 26, 2018: 12:00 PM–12:50 PM
Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall B
Chair: Tracy L. Lepper (McNeese State University)
#94 Symposium
Transient Behavioral Changes: Theory, Data and Discussion
Saturday, May 26, 2018: 3:00 PM–3:50 PM
Marriott Marquis, San Diego Ballroom A
Chair: Deisy De Souza (Universidade Federal de São Carlos)
Discussant: Travis Thompson (University of Minnesota)
#101 Symposium
Saturday, May 26, 2018: 3:00 PM–4:50 PM
Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall C
Chair: Jonathan Dean Schmidt (Kennedy Krieger Institute)
Discussant: April N. Kisamore (Caldwell University)
#105 Symposium
Saturday, May 26, 2018: 3:00 PM–4:50 PM
Manchester Grand Hyatt, Coronado Ballroom DE
Chair: Kelly Mercorella (The Pennsylvania State University)
Discussant: R. Douglas Greer (Columbia University Teachers College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences)
#111 Symposium
Advances in Verbal Behavior Research and Practice
Saturday, May 26, 2018: 3:00 PM–4:50 PM
Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall B
Chair: Mary Halbur (University of Wisconsin Milwaukee)
Discussant: Judah B. Axe (Simmons College)
#206 Invited Paper Session
On the Search for Verbal Mediation in Delayed-Matching-To-Sample Arrangements and Emergent Relations
Sunday, May 27, 2018: 9:00-9:50 AM
Manchester Grand Hyatt, Seaport Ballroom DE
Invited Speaker: ERIK ARNTZEN (Oslo and Akershus University College)
Chair: Einar T. Ingvarsson (Virginia Institute of Autism)
#230 Symposium
Establishment of Naming Skills in Preschool Children With Autism
Sunday, May 27, 2018: 10:00-10:50 AM
Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall B
Chair: Sigmund Eldevik (Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences)
Discussant: Anna I. Petursdottir (Texas Christian University)
#249 Symposium
Communication-Based Interventions: Refinements and Extensions
Sunday, May 27, 2018: 11:00 AM–12:50 PM
Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall A
Chair: Megan A. Boyle (Missouri State University)
Discussant: Tyra P. Sellers (Utah State University)
#270 B.F. Skinner Lecture Series Paper Session
A Complex Adaptive Systems View of Language and Second Language Development
Sunday, May 27, 2018: 12:00-12:50 PM
Marriott Marquis, Grand Ballroom 7-9
Invited Speaker: DIANE LARSEN-FREEMAN (Ph.D., Linguistics, University of Michigan; University of Pennsylvania)
Chair: Judah B. Axe (Simmons College)
#305 Symposium
Basic and Applied Research on Relational Responding
Sunday, May 27, 2018: 3:00-3:50 PM
Marriott Marquis, San Diego Ballroom C
Chair: Caio F. Miguel (California State University, Sacramento)
Discussant: Karen M. Lionello-DeNolf (Assumption College)
#359 Business Meeting
Verbal Behavior Special Interest Group
Sunday, May 27, 2018: 7:00 PM–7:50 PM
Marriott Marquis, San Diego Ballroom A
Chair: April N. Kisamore (Hunter College)
#404 Symposium
Naming and Stimulus Class Formation in Children and Adults
Monday, May 28, 2018: 8:00 AM–9:50 AM
Marriott Marquis, San Diego Ballroom C
Chair: Danielle LaFrance (H.O.P.E. Consulting, LLC; Endicott College – Institute for Behavioral Studies)
Discussant: Carol Pilgrim (University of North Carolina Wilmington)
#408 Paper Session
Theoretical Approaches to Complex Verbal Behavior
Monday, May 28, 2018: 8:00 AM–9:50 AM
Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall B
Chair: Robert Dlouhy (Western Michigan University)
#457 Symposium
Stimulus Equivalence: From Conceptual Issues to Translational Research
Monday, May 28, 2018: 11:00-12:50 PM
Marriott Marquis, San Diego Ballroom C
Chair: Erik Arntzen (Oslo and Akershus University College)
Discussant: Paula Ribeiro Braga Kenyon (Trumpet Behavioral Health)
#465 Symposium
Research and Implications of a Behavioral Perspective of Rigidity, Grit, and Perspective Taking
Monday, May 28, 2018: 12:00-12:50 PM
Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall D
Chair: William Root (Southern Illinois University, Carbondale)