ABA in Nigeria

By Bosede E Asikhia

ABAN was established and approved by ABAI 2017.

Vision: The advancement of the science of ABA by partnering with WBADA to increase understanding, recognition, acceptance, and the use.
Value: To ensure standardization through monitoring and ethical guideline adherence.

Mission of ABAN: To promote the competent practice of applied behavior analysis, education and training, appropriate services, advocacy, and the globalization of ABA. It is meant to promote international cooperation and to sensitize Nigerians in diaspora about the need for collaboration with ABAN.

ABAN EXCO MEMBERS
Bosede Asikhia President, ABAN
Francis Mohie Vice President
Helen Oshikoya Secretary
Tinuola Olaiya Treasurer
Dr. Edward Usifo Asikhia Ethic Committee Chair

ABAN REGIONAL COORDINATORS
West Coordinators
Temitope Osoba, QBA
Monisola Olorunfemi, BCaBA
Bello Olushola, QASP-S

North Coordinators
Angela Ikomola, QBA
Danjuma Manjil, ABA-T

East Coordinator
Dr. Tina Irimoren, QBA
Gift Dikio, ABA-T

ABAN VIRTUAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
March 18, 2023
ABAN/WBADA/ITC: Bridging the Gap through training. Free CEU for active members. In commemoration of the World Behavior Analysis Day Celebration

August 31, 2023
ABAN encourages diversity and inclusiveness in the field of behavior analysis broadly, and within the organization specifically [Exco members and regional coordinators meetings].

February 10, 2024
ITC-ABA/ABAN: Edo State College of Education & International Training Center for Applied Behavior Analysis: The Science of Behavior Analysis Initiatives in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions [Inception Ceremony].

March 3, 2024
ABAN Connects stakeholders to raise awareness about the Science of Behavior Analysis and ABAN’s mission through collaboration.

March 23, 2024
ABAN &WBAD Connect the dots [Harmony in Diversity] Free 4 CEUs and 7 discounted CEUs training @ $1 for ABAN Active Members. In commemoration of the World Behavior Analysis Day Celebration.

WBADA and ABAN partnership agreement was approved in April 2024.

ABAN Commemorates World Autism Awareness Day Celebration through:
T.VC News talks [Abuja Studio] Nigeria and YouTube by ABAN Vice President and the Director of IKE Foundation for Autism Francis Mohie talked about the diagnosis, assessment, red flags of autism, and ABA as an effective intervention while the First Lady of the Federal republic of Nigeria Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu urges early diagnosis, intervention crucial to ensuring individuals reach full potential.

ABAN members engage in Autism Awareness Month and World Behavior Analysis Day celebrations via social media, TV, radio, and visits to schools, churches, mosques, NGOs and governmental agencies.

FUTURE PLAN AND ONGOING PROGRAMS:

ABAN capacity building initiative [liaising with approved course sequence providers, agencies, NGOs, governmental institutions]
ABAN mentorship initiative [Involves collaboration, mentorship, consultation, and supervision]
ABAN outreach programs to raise awareness, recognition, and acceptance of the science of behavior analysis [ World Behavior Analysis Day Celebration March 14th–20th, Autism Awareness Month celebration, ABAN conference, talks, and presentations]
ABAN connects stakeholders as an annual event to promote collaboration and social networking to enhance understanding, recognition, acceptance, and use of the science of behavior analysis.
ABAN intends to develop questionnaires to generate information for improving services provision to promote acceptance and use of the science of behavior analysis.
ABAN is creating opportunities for paper presentations and talks by active members during autism events, WBAD celebrations, and various outreach programs across settings.
ABAN examines and manipulates various contingencies to increase motivation and enhance service provision through monitoring to ensure adherence to ethical guidelines.
ABAN Program: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion DEI: ABAN is examining DEI at the micro and macro levels, within and outside the ABA system and the connectivity and impact within the community [ABAN, home, school, community. [Talks on DEI during EXCO and Regional Team Leaders Meetings; Area of focus for ABAN conference/event 2025.

ABAN MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: ONGOING
Free registration for ABAN webinars /workshops/conferences.
Access to information for other free C.E.U available locally and internationally.
Access to ABAN/others’ Career Centers’ job opportunities by providing list of service providers.
Creating opportunities for participation in ABAI/QABA conferences in-person/virtually by facilitating access to supporting documents for traveling, and more!
Motivating ABAN active members by providing incentives, in the form of free and discounted CEU; discounted renewal registration fees intermittently during ABA conventions/events and information about other free C.E.U available locally and internationally; posting of case scenarios for discussion through WhatsApp ABAN group platform; posting valuable professional information, and resources; providing collaborative supports and social networking within and outside the profession and creating access to mentorship/supervision/consultancy opportunities.
Attracts potential new members by organizing annual ABAN-Connects Stakeholders meeting event for ABA professionals, parents, non-ABA professionals providing ABA services for individual with developmental disabilities.

The Purpose of ABAN-Connects Stakeholders event:
To share information /ideas about ABAN’s mission, the science of behavior analysis, and World Behavior Analysis Day’s Annual Celebration [March 14th–20th].
To raise awareness about ABAN’s benefits to members, consumers, and the community at large; the benefit of the science of behavior analysis to the consumers, professionals, and the community at large.

To increase membership registration, and understanding, recognition, acceptance, and use of the science of behavior analysis.