Evolving ABA 003 | “It’s Not Burnout, It’s Trauma” with Dr. Natalie Williams Awodeha

This episode is worth 0.5 BACB Supervision CEs - http://ow.ly/N6HJ50MI6o3

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Today Dr. Nasiah Cirincione-Ulezi speaks with Dr. Natalie Williams Awodeha for this podcast CE Event.

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that 11.2% of adults aged 18 years and over report regular feelings of worry, nervousness, or anxiety (Clark et al.   2019). To effectively assess and address turnover in ABA workplace settings,   additional research is needed that goes beyond the surface, exploring the ways in which work environments may serve as a source of trauma for staff in ABA   settings. Mental disorders are often diagnosed in young adulthood, and research states the adolescent brain, specifically, the prefrontal cortex is not fully developed until as late as 25 years old (Arain, 2013). Although age is not a demographic reported by the BACB, anecdotal reports suggest many RBTs,   BCaBAs, practicum students, and new BCBAs fall within this late adolescent stage, as entry-level and early career professionals. It is incumbent upon supervisors to understand the role of trauma and the impact of Adverse Child Experiences (ACEs), among other life experiences, on mental and physical health, considering the high rates of mental health concerns among adult populations. In this presentation, attendees will explore resources, including   Mental Health First Aid certification, help supervisors identify and intervene with supervisees while staying within their scope of competence. Attendees will identify ways to mitigate potential triggers in the workplace to create psychologically safe environments for supervisees. Attendees will also discuss the impact of culturally responsive trauma-informed supervision on client outcomes in ABA   settings. The presenter will share relevant research, in addition to personal narratives from the presenter’s lived experiences.

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