**This course will provide the participant with 1 General Learning Type BACB CEU**
Description of General Learning Type CE Event: Many BCBAs in clinical practice work with clients diagnosed with ASD; however, even though research has indicated that a relatively high percentage of Autistic adults identify as LGBTQIA+/Queer, most BCBAs are not trained in LGBTQIA+ affirming care. Additionally, in working outside of Autism, there is still notable prevalence of LGBTQIA+ identities, particularly higher in the youth of today than ever reported in earlier generations. It is known that many of the factors contributing to queer persons’ mental health come down to feeling supported in their environments, having access to persons knowledgeable of their experiences, and having access to their communities. The risk of suicidality in queer youth is 3x higher than their peers; the risk of this for Autistic adults experiencing gender dysphoria is considered highest of all comorbid conditions in the DSM-5. Thus, practitioners, who help shape systemic behaviors in conjunction with those of their direct clients, run the very real risk of contributing to a queer client’s systemic oppression, of being a factor in the suicidality of the human they are charged with helping. This presentation is geared toward assisting BCBAs in their efforts to be affirming using empirically-validated simple techniques, to be aware, and to be a positive and socially-valid force for systemic change within their clients’ lives. We can be both affirming and solid in our science, we just need to know how.
Instructor Bio: Nicholas Maio-Aether owns Empowered: A Center for Sexuality in St Louis, where he and his occasional teams of partnered Universities' students work to assist humans with and without disabilities achieve sexual access, sexual freedom, gender affirmation, and self-control of compulsive behaviors. Nicholas works throughout the US training BCBAs/Behavior Analysts so persons in Individualized Supportive Living (ISL) programs gain access to applicable and generalizable comprehensive sex ed and sexual opportunities. Nicholas provides Sexual Behavior Analysis, and has assisted polycules, kinksters, gay couples, trans and nonbinary humans, among others, on their journeys. Trained by GLSEN in 2003, Nicholas started Gay-Straight Alliances across Alaska while in high school, and provided them sex ed materials and trainings. Nicholas spent five years managing Hustler Hollywood in St Louis before moving into Behavior Analysis, and joined AASECT, where he currently sits on two committees. He then completed a Sex Therapy practicum under Linda Weiner, LMSW, CSTS, in 2019 before getting a second Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy, and meeting those hour requirements under Angela Skurtu, LMFT, CST, along with his LGBTQIA+ Family Systems Specialist certificate in 2021.
Target Audience: ALL Behavior Analysts wishing to adhere to best practices, as established by the AMA, the APA, WPATH, and now also ABAI. It is now mandated that all practicing and licensed Behavior Analysts must complete a training in Affirming Care each Recertification Cycle. Additionally, this is for anyone wishing to do right by their clients in general!
To earn credit, you will be required to attend the live online session and pass a quiz about it with a score of 100%. You can retake the quiz as many times as needed, but you may not receive exactly the same questions each time.
Course Includes
- 5 Lessons
- 4 Quizzes
