Lone Star ABA – 2025 Annual Report
By Jennifer Perry
LSABA has been in existence for 16 years. We have accomplished a lot in that time and despite difficulties associated with the Covid-19 pandemic are still an active organization. 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 with children with autism, LSABA recognizes and supports those professionals who demonstrate the utility of ABA in application to a variety of populations and needs.
During the pandemic LSABA worked to coordinate efforts to aid ABA providers in obtaining Covid-19 vaccinations by establishing collaborative relationships with area health care organizations. Availability of vaccination supplies was sporadic and confusing in this area and LSABA members were instrumental in finding and reporting opportunities for ABA service providers.
LSABA was largely inactive during the time span of the beginning of 2021 through the end of 2022. In January of 2023, a group of LSABA members collaborated in order to get LSABA active again. At this time, it was decided that LSABA would focus on networking events and hosting workshops that would be beneficial for Houston area BCBAs and would not continue monthly meetings. In 2023, LSABA hosted two networking events and a two-day workshop by Greg Hanely covering skills-based training (this was a workshop that was previously canceled in 2020). In 2024, LSABA hosted a networking event and a two-day workshop provided by Jonathon Tarbox on the topic of acceptance and commitment training (ACT). For 2025 LSABA plans to host a two-day conference featuring presentations by Jessica Rohrer on compassionate care and Patrick Friman on the variety of applications that ABA can be utilized for.
LSABA 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 16 years LSABA continues to have a strong foundation and a good track record of accomplishments despite the difficulties faced from 202 through 2022. LSABA is certainly lucky to have dedicated and caring members, and excellent support from the ABA professional establishment. We will continue to work toward growing our membership and fulfilling our mission statement.
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