The Ins and Outs of Assessment and Treatment of Sexualized Behavior in ABA

24/7/2026

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PDU/CE: 3

12:30pm - 3:30pm

Level: Beginner

About this Workshop

Inappropriate Sexual Behavior poses a unique problem in behavior analysis. First, sexuality is not identified as a unique subspecialty in behavior analysis despite the fact that every client we serve has experienced related to various sexuality topics. Second, behavior analysts are not often trained in sexuality related concerns, resulting a large gap in competency despite our research demonstrating inappropriate sexual behavior is within our scope of practice. This workshop will aim to describe how behavior analysts can practically and effectively identify, assess, and treat sexualized behavior within a behavior analytic context.

Audience: Behaviour Support Practitioners, Behaviour Analysts

At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify and define target behaviors related to sexuality in behavior analysis

  2. Describe and discriminate between sexualized and non-sexualized inappropriate behavior

  3. Assess functions of behavior related to inappropriate sexual behavior

  4. Select assessment processes to safely and adequately assess behavior

  5. Conduct related risk assessments as it pertains to ISB

  6. Review and identify current treatment options and considerations for ISB

  7. Evaluate ethical considerations for assessing and treating ISB

Presenter

Shane T. Spiker is a BCBA-D in Ormond Beach, Florida. Shane received his MS of Psychology in 2012 and his second MS in applied Psychology in 2016. In May 2019, he graduated with his PhD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration on instructional design. He has been providing services in the field of ABA since 2010, with the majority of his experience with autistic learners and other disabilities. Shane specializes working with teens and adults with dangerous problem behavior, sexual behavior, and medically complex individuals in the home and community-based setting.

Primarily, Shane serves as the Clinical Training and Safety Director at PBS, Corp. Shane previously served as the Vice President of the Sexual Behavior: Research and Practice SIG through ABAI. He has authored several articles and text chapters related to ethics in behavior analysis and practice. He is the author of several books, including Anxiety Report, Take Care, Understanding Risk/Benefit Analysis, and Behavior Foundations. Currently, he also serves as an instructor at Florida Institute of Technology, Arizona State University and Regis College, where he teaches graduate level coursework. He enjoys reading and appreciates a really good cup of coffee.