Interdisciplinary Collaboration Training: An Example of a Preservice Training Series

Area of Science:

• Behavior Analysis
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Background:

• Growing recognition of the need for behavior analysts to develop collaboration skills.
• Importance of these skills for improving client outcomes and professional relationships.
• Necessity for behavior analysis students and practitioners to function effectively in interdisciplinary teams.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a developed training model for collaboration skills in behavior analysis.
• To integrate this skill set into supervision modules for Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification.
• To enhance the functioning of behavior analysts within interdisciplinary teams.

Main Methods:

• Exposure of supervisees to the expertise of allied professions (speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, developmental pediatrics).
• Implementation of rotations within allied fields to build collaborative skills.
• Assignment of tasks requiring trainees to identify and demonstrate collaborative behaviors with other professions.

Main Results:

• A structured model for training collaboration skills has been developed and integrated into BCBA supervision.
• Supervisees gain exposure to and understanding of allied professions' contributions.
• Trainees practice identifying and displaying appropriate collaborative behaviors.

Conclusions:

• The Melmark model provides a framework for training essential collaboration skills in behavior analysis.
• Future directions include organizational-wide implementation and development of performance-based and social validity assessments.
• Effective interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for advancing behavior analytic practice.