Lone Star ABA

By Gerald E. Harris

LSABA has been in existence for 15 years now. We have accomplished a lot in that time but the Covid–19 pandemic temporarily interrupted our activities and started a re-examination of our activities and procedures. The Lone Star Applied Behavior Analysts (LSABA) chapter was established in 2009 to provide community support for professionals and students in the field of applied behavior analysis. Houston area members include practitioners as well as educators, and those who work in either the public or private sectors or both. While a majority of the members are involved in the application of ABA to children with autism, LSABA recognizes and supports those professionals who demonstrate the utility of ABA in application to a variety of populations and needs.

The past year went well, and also saw the continuing recovery of our group. The regular LSABA meetings were used to plan and work on activities to support and increase cohesiveness of local practitioners of ABA.

We hosted an exciting educational conference featuring Dr. Hanley to area ABA practitioners. One of the most exciting activities of LSABA previously was the conducting conferences focusing on important aspects of ABA. This conference occurred in the summer and was very well attended. The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive and continuing education credits were provided for attendance. We are now working on a workshop/conference tentatively scheduled for June which should be very well received by the ABA community.

LSABA is now mostly recovered from the pandemic and continues to be very appreciative of support and recognition from the state chapter, TxABA. There remains a good system of information exchange in place with TxABA, and LSABA and its members individually participate in and assist with TxABA activities and events, such as the annual TxABA convention.
At the national and international level, LSABA has certainly been well supported and encouraged by ABAI, and continues to express gratitude for all the assistance by that organization. As an affiliate of APBA, LSABA has also received welcome support and encouragement from that organization.

Overall, for a now maturing organization of 15 years LSABA appears to have a strong foundation and a good track record of accomplishments. LSABA is certainly blessed with having dedicated and caring members, and excellent support from the ABA professional establishment. We will continue to promote the field of applied behavior analysis and serve the local community.