Introduction to Behavioural Gerontology Online Course
(2 BACB CEUs)
Using the science of applied behaviour analysis to benefit the lives of older adults
We love working with older adults, and we want to share our love and knowledge of behavioural gerontology with the wider ABA community.
Take me straight to the course!Who is this course for?
We have designed our introduction to behavioural gerontology course specifically for
- BCBAs/BCaBAs/RBTs/UKBA(Cert)s who work with other populations e.g., people with ASD or IDD but would like to move into work with older adults.
- Students of ABA who want to learn about applications of ABA outside of early intervention.
- Behaviour Analysts who love their work with another population, but who love learning about applications of ABA with other populations.
Some prior knowledge of ABA is assumed- we will use terms like reinforcement, stimulus control, and MOs without definition. No prior knowledge of work with older adults is needed to enjoy the course!
That's me! Gimme the course!Collect 2 BACB learning CEUS for this course!
PACT is a BACB Authorised Continuing Education Provider and you will earn 2 BACB CEUs for completing this course. These CEUs are also suitable for renewing your UKSBA membership.
How long can I access the course for?
How long does the course take to complete?
Can I claim BCBA CEUs for taking the course?
Can I complete the course if I am outside of the UK?
How do I pay for the course?
What does the course cost?
Who teaches the course?
What topics do you cover?
The course is separated into six sections:
- Course Introduction - Here we welcome you to the course, introduce ourselves so you know who your instructors are, and give you an overview of the course content.
- Context of behavioural gerontology - In this section we teach you about the field's origins, how we define behavioural gerontology, where we work, who we work with and how many (or few) behavioural gerontologists there are!
- Increasing and maintaining behaviour - Here we teach you about the importance of increasing engagement in older adults, how we increase skills that are already in an older adult's repertoire, how and when we teach new skills to older adults, and the importance of maintaining skills in this population.
- Decreasing behaviour - Here we cover the topographies of challenging behaviour seen in our work, what excess disability is and why it's vital that behavioural gerontologists rule it out, managing sexual behaviour in older adults, and the effects of medication, polypharmacy and chemical restraint. We finish by touching on functional analysis.
- Further considerations - In this final content section, we cover some of the specific issues that need to be addressed with this population in contrast with other populations. Topics include ageism, elderspeak, contextual learning history and death and dying.
- Final thoughts - We finish the course by sharing with you the reasons we love working with older adults and some of the work we've done that has made a huge impact on our client's lives.
"This was a wonderful training. It was very well organized and hit on all the major considerations for working with this population... I loved this CEU event and will be sharing it with friends."
- Jenna
"This was amazing!"
-Grace
"Great training overall. I particularly loved the realistic consideration or how many different contingencies are at play for our care staff and how these contingencies (such as those that come along with socio-economic status) do not support the type of care we want to see. "
- Cristina
"Your passion for these individuals was evident and it made the content even more engaging. "
- Kelly
"I found the content of this course extremely useful as I pivot from ABA as an application for treating autism to focusing on ABA as a treatment for the aging adult population, specifically aphasia."
- Shawna
"The content and examples were a great overview. Loved hearing your enthusiasm for working with this population! "
- Elizabeth
"The information provided was really clear and engaging. It was also explained at a really suitable level for those with some prior learning of behavioural gerontology so that I was able to develop what I knew as well as being clear for those first learning about it."
- Maisie-Jane
"I found the course very informative and comprehensive, a very valuable introduction to the field of behavioral gerontology. Thank you!"
- Vanessa
Please note all testimonials are from learners who have completed the course and provided feedback. All have given consent for their comments to be shared as per the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.
