Behavioral and pharmacological treatment of stereotyped and other problem behaviors

Abstract

The Laboratório de Aprendizagem Humana, Multimídia Interativa e Ensino Informatizado (LAHMIEI) research group at the Department of Psychology and Special Education of UFSCar has been increasing its international participation throughout the years. Currently, it has been playing an important role in the collaborative work between Brazilian public universities and universities around the world through grant and scholarship awards by FAPESP, CNPq and CAPES. As an indicator of the potential of this international participation we mention the LAHMIEI's International Research Seminar (Seminário Internacional de Pesquisa do LAHMIEI), which is in its ninth edition. The LAHMIEI research group international participation has been greatly noted through the São Paulo School for Advanced Science (ESPCA): Advances in research and treatment of autistic behavior, supported by FAPESP. The conference was held from January 9th to 13th of 2012 and received researchers and students from Brazil and from all over the world who met to discuss the contemporary advances in research and treatment of individuals with autism. For the IX Seminar, we aim to apply for financial support to continue the international participation of the LAHMIEI research group and to develop research in collaboration with the invited researcher Frans van Haaren, PhD. Dr. van Haaren will participate in activities related to the research line called "Complex human behavior: analysis, methodology and application to people with special educational needs". Frans van Haaren Ph. D. is director at Autism Early Intervention Clinics and ABA Academy and President at ABAtutors, all developed to improve the treatment and prognosis of children diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities using the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), at home, at school and in the community. He also has extensive training and expertise in the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis, behavioral pharmacology and behavioral toxicology. His research interests are in line with the interests and studies of LAHMIEI's research group, such as: experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis, intervention with people with developmental delays and autism. Dr. van Haaren was Associate Professor at University of Florida and Associate Research Professor at Netherlands Institute for Brain Research. In addition, he's works as Director at Autism Early Intervention Clinics provide effective, data-based therapy for children diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities incorporating the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to facilitate skill acquisition and to reduce the frequency of problem behaviors, and consults services worldwide. This invitation is justified, firstly, because of the contributions of Dr. van Haaren to the area and, hence, because it will make possible to the LAHMIEI research group to attend at research activities in collaboration with the referred professor. The research projects Dr. van Haaren will be consulting in on during his visit are listed in the attached file "Description of Research Projects". The required funding will allow the visitant to participate in the following activities: (1) lectures to undergraduates and graduates along with other interested parties in Special Education and Psychology, which will make the IX LAHMIEI's Research Seminar to be held at UFSCAR; (2) assistance to existing projects at LAHMIEI; (3) papers preparation, written in partnership with international journals; (4) discussion of results and design of new projects to be conducted in partnership; (5) special teacher participation at post-graduation course in Applied Behavior Analysis in UFSCAR. (AU)