Building Community with Adults with Disabilities Using ABA and ACT Therapy
Professional Development | 2 Credits This course includes essential information about ABA and ACT Therapy for professionals.
Building Community with Adults with Disabilities Using ABA and ACT Therapy is available as a professional development offering designed for practitioners supporting adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities across community, residential, vocational, and therapeutic settings.
This course provides foundational and practical guidance on fostering meaningful community participation, social connection, and quality of life for adults with disabilities using evidence-based principles from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). As adults with disabilities increasingly seek inclusive, self-directed, and values-based lives, professionals play a critical role in supporting authentic community engagement beyond skill acquisition alone.
Designed for behavior analysts, psychologists, and related professionals, this 2-credit course equips participants with the knowledge needed to integrate behavioral strategies with ACT-informed approaches to support social connection, autonomy, and psychological flexibility. The course introduces key concepts related to community inclusion, values-based goal setting, and barriers to participation, including anxiety, avoidance, limited access, and systemic constraints.
Participants will explore how ABA strategies (e.g., skill building, reinforcement, environmental supports) can be ethically and effectively combined with ACT processes such as values clarification, acceptance, and committed action. Emphasis is placed on person-centered planning, dignity, collaboration, and promoting meaningful outcomes that align with the individual’s values and life goals.
The course provides practical strategies for supporting adults with disabilities in developing relationships, participating in community activities, and navigating real-world challenges while honoring autonomy and personal choice.
By the end of the course, participants will feel confident applying integrated ABA and ACT principles to support community inclusion and meaningful engagement for adults with disabilities.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
-
Describe foundational principles of community inclusion for adults with disabilities
-
Explain how ABA and ACT can be integrated to support meaningful community engagement
-
Identify common barriers to community participation and strategies to address them
-
Apply values-based goal setting to support autonomy and quality of life
-
Use behavior-analytic and ACT-informed strategies to promote social connection and participation
Credit Alignment & Areas of Practice
This course qualifies for professional development credits and may be applied toward continuing education requirements, depending on professional credentialing body.
The content aligns with the following practice areas:
-
Assessment and Data-Based Decision Making
Using data to guide meaningful, person-centered community goals. -
Intervention and Skill Development
Supporting social, adaptive, and community-based skills using ABA and ACT strategies. -
Ethical and Professional Practice
Promoting dignity, autonomy, and values-driven outcomes in adult services. -
Consultation and Collaboration
Working with families, support staff, and community partners to foster inclusion.
Course Details
Audience: Behavior Analysts, Psychologists, and Related Professionals
Format: Online, self-paced
Length: 2 Credits
Focus: Community inclusion and values-based support for adults with disabilities using ABA and ACT
