World Environment Day 2017: Here's how you can make Earth a better place

"This year's World Environment Day is an ideal occasion to go out and enjoy your country's national parks and other wilderness areas. Once you are there, why not set yourself a challenge (seek out a rare mammal, identify five butterflies, reach the remotest corner of the park). Record what you see, and send us a photo of yourself and/or your discoveries so we can post it on our digital channels and encourage others to go exploring too." -- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Every year, June 5 is celebrated as World Environment Day with a new theme. This year the theme is "Connecting People to Nature". This theme implores us to go outdoors and appreciate nature's beauty and importance, and take forward the call to protect the planet Earth. Last year's theme, "Zero Tolerance for the Illegal Wildlife trade" encouraged a fight against wildlife crime.

The day is celebrated to raise global awareness about the significance of a healthy environment and to solve various environmental issues by implementing some actions to protect nature and Earth, leading to a positive and healthy environment for all. World Environment Day is run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

World Environment Day is an occasion to think how we are a part of nature and how intimately and unequivocally we depend on it for survival.

The day was established in 1972 by the United Nation, after this United States instituted the Earth Day, and since then, global citizens have organized thousands of events to bring attention to the degrading environmental conditions.

On World Environment Day, listed are some facts and what we can do to support this day:

• This day was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972

• The United Nation organisation calls the holiday its "principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment"

• The anniversary of the Stockholm Conference is celebrated as World Environment Day every year. The conference was held by UN on the Human Environment

• Each year, the emphasis on World Environment Day is placed on a certain topic of earth crisis

• The name of the topic is usually decided by vote around March 1. This year's host country Canada got to choose the theme and will be at the centre of celebrations around the planet

• The theme of this year is "Connecting People to Nature"

• This year's theme has encouraged people to admire nature and challenges us to find fun and exciting ways to experience and cherish this vital relationship

• As per UNEP, the growing 'illegal trade in wildlife products is eroding Earth's precious biodiversity and robbing us of our natural heritage'

• All the illegal trade has been pushing species into extinction

World Environment Day: health is intrinsically linked to the environment

The theme for this year’s World Environment Day – “Connecting people to nature” – implores citizens of the world to get outdoors and into nature, to appreciate its beauty and importance, and to protect the Earth that we share. On this day, celebrated every 5 June since 1972, WHO reminds decision-makers and citizens that health is intrinsically linked to the environment.

Globally, an estimated 24% of the burden of disease and 23% of all deaths can be attributed to environmental factors. Air and water pollution, hazardous chemicals, waste, climate change – these are among the factors that not only harm the environment but can also lead to serious health problems. On the contrary, interventions to protect and preserve the environment can directly improve health.

Europe’s decades-long commitment to preserving the environment to protect health

In the late 1980s, European countries initiated the European Environment and Health Process (EHP), the first-ever process to eliminate the most significant environmental threats to human health. Since that time, a series of ministerial conferences held every 5 years and coordinated by WHO/Europe has driven progress towards this goal. The conferences are unique, bringing together different sectors to shape European policies and actions on environment and health.

The most recent conference took place in Parma, Italy, in 2010. The resulting Parma Declaration is the first time-bound outcome of the EHP. Governments of the 53 European Member States set clear targets to reduce the adverse health impact of environmental threats in the next decade.

At the upcoming 6th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, taking place on 13–15 June in Ostrava, Czechia, participants will consider new evidence demonstrating that preserving the environment is essential to the survival of humankind. They will also recognize the cross-border nature of environmental challenges; the necessity of focusing actions not only at the national level but also at subnational and city levels; the importance of identifying those most vulnerable to environmental challenges; and the need for good governance, which includes involving stakeholders and citizens. Participants will include health and environment ministers and high-level representatives of WHO European Member States, partner organizations, academia and civil society.

RESOUCES

World Health Organization

Tracking devices may improve quality of life for parents of children with autism

National study suggests trackers using radio, Bluetooth or global positioning system technology help ease anxiety for parents of children who wander

Many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder face increased risk of injury when they wander away from adults who care for them. Even when parents take safety precautions such as installing window bars at home, studies show parents' fear of their children wandering is a significant source of stress for families. New research being presented at the 2017 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting suggests that electronic tracking devices worn by children may reduce how often children wander and help ease parents' anxiety.

Researchers will discuss the study abstract, "Impact of Tracking Device Technology on Quality of Life for Families with a Child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder," during a platform presentation on Saturday, May 6, at the Moscone West Convention Center in San Francisco. They will also present 5 other abstracts about studies they conducted using the same cohort, currently the largest national sample of children who have wandered, during a poster session on Tuesday, May 9.

According to national estimates, more than a quarter million children with autism and other developmental disorders wander away from adult supervision each year, said Andrew Adesman, MD, FAAP, a senior investigator for the abstracts being presented and Chief of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics at the Seven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York.

"In recent years, parents and professionals have become increasingly aware of not only the dangers associated with wandering by children with autism, but also the emotional toll this places on families and the limits it imposes on activities," Dr. Adesman said.

"Given the magnitude of safety risks and parental concerns, it is important to find evidence-based solutions that reduce the likelihood of injury to children and can provide parents with less reason for worry," he said.

For the studies, researchers examined online survey responses from 1,345 parents invited to participate through autism organizations nationwide. The parents answered questions about their children's developmental diagnosis and severity, past wandering behavior and prevention strategies they'd used to address the behavior, including extra locks and physical barriers, child harnesses, and electronic tracking devices that used radio, Bluetooth or global positioning system (GPS) technology to help parents quickly find children who wander off.

Results suggest that that electronic tracking devices reduced parent-rated wandering frequency by nearly a quarter (23 percent) while also having wider effects on household anxiety levels, routines and perceived quality of life. The majority of parents (87 percent) said that before using an electronic tracking device, concerns about wandering affected decisions whether to let their child spend time with friends or family in their absence, for example. This compared to 60 percent of parents who said this was the case while using an electronic tracking device.

Overall, 96 percent of parents who said they were currently using an electronic tracking device said it made their quality of life better (47 percent send it made it "somewhat better," and 49 percent said "much better.")

"Despite the development of several types of electronic tracking devices aimed at helping to reduce risks related to wandering by children with autism and other developmental disorders, currently there are no published findings regarding the effectiveness of these devices or their impact on families," said Laura McLaughlin, Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics Research Assistant and Principal Investigator for the studies.

Dr. Adesman said the findings suggest physicians who care for children at risk for wandering should become informed about different electronic tracking devices and counsel parents about potential benefits.

Story Source:

American Academy of Pediatrics

THE ROAD TO THE BCBA

 By Tameika Meadows, BCBA

THE ROAD TO THE BCBA

I often publish posts on my blog that come directly from questions/comments I get via email (like myFAQ series). I feel that if 1 or 2 people have the same question, then its likely many other people are wondering the same thing and just didn’t ask. 

Lately I have been getting a ton of emails from ABA therapists working towards their BCBA certification, and wanting to know what to expect from the “Big Exam”. The exam is that last step on that long road towards becoming a BCBA, and walking closer and closer to it can understandably cause a lot of anxiety. I was certified in 2012, and I’m happy to share my experiences of preparing for the BCBA exam in the hopes that it can help someone else who is just starting the process.

The specific steps necessary for obtaining certification are provided in detail on the BACB website, but what many people want to know is “So….whats the test like???” The exam is the confidential property of the BACB, so the information found online about the exam will be vague, or speak in generalities. 

So, why pursue certification? You are a fan of data, the science of behavior, and you actually find pleasure in creating graphs. Or, your passion for this field and love of the work make ABA something you want as a career.  In your perfect world, ABA is what you would live and breathe.

If you are pursuing certification simply because you want to make a lot of money (there is great salary range, but a “high” salary isn’t necessarily guaranteed), you want to get away from “the table” (some companies require BCBAs provide direct therapy), you love working with kids with Autism (some BCBAs dont even work with individuals with Autism), or you think BCBAs just have desk jobs (I will explain this more below), then…..maybe this isn’t such a career path for you.

In addition to the requirements of the BACB, I also think that certain personality traits are necessary to be excellent at this job. To name a few: time management skills, excellent oral and written communication skills, creativity, leadership skills, ability to multitask, ability to work autonomously, problem solving skills, and attention to detail. To sum it up, I think many of the traits Type- A personalities tend to have would serve you well in this job.  Being a BCBA isn’t necessarily the cushy desk job some people think it is. It’s super difficult to describe a day in the life of a BCBA because depending on where you work, the population you serve, the ages you serve, etc., there will be much variability. 

So a hypothetical day for a BCBA could include providing direct therapy to clients, supervising direct staff and providing feedback, attending meetings, parent training, conducting workshops or trainings, conducting assessments or FBAs/FAs, school facilitation or observation, community outing skill training, and/or administrative tasks (at home or at the office) such as program development, creating materials, reading research articles, or looking for patterns and trends in collected data.

So now that you know what to expect from the job, here’s some tips for preparing for the exam. These tips may be helpful for you, and they may not. This is just what I found to be successful and helpful.

The BCBA Exam

-          Get into a great study group (either online or in person), that has a few BCBAs in it. It will be really helpful to have people present who have actually passed the exam.

-          Create study flashcards and visuals, and use these to build fluency.  When I study I need to do more than just read material. I made tons of flashcards of terms and concepts and reviewed them regularly, and for some of the cards I would tape them to the walls in my house so I was constantly looking at them. That visual cue was very helpful.

-          Dedicate time each day to reviewing material. Set a schedule for yourself and stick to it. Carve out time, and set a space in your home for studying. For me, I studied best first thing in the morning with no TV, cell phone turned off, and music playing softly. Do what works best for you.

-          Get the “White Book”. The Cooper ABA book is essential in this line of work, and it’s an amazing study resource. Don’t just read it though; study the definitions and terms, answer the end of chapter questions, and discuss the chapters in your study group. This is a book you will reference throughout your career, so it’s a good idea to go ahead and purchase it now. Another study resource that worked for me is the BDS modules.  They’re similar to what the actual exam is like, and present questions in content area modules (such as a Behavioral Assessment section). The modules are also timed, so this is great practice for answering questions under a time crunch.

-          Reference the BCBA exam Task List, to assess your strengths and deficits, such as Ethical Conduct Guidelines. You want to use your study time wisely…it isn’t time effective to spend an hour reviewing material you are strong in. Instead use that time to focus on your deficits. Put on your Behavior Analyst thinking cap: If you were teaching a skill to a child and they just weren’t getting it, would you spend the majority of the session asking them things they already know, or modifying your teaching for the areas they’re struggling in?

-           Try to gain experience in the content areas you struggle in. I know for me, I learn better by doing than by reading about something. If you are stuck on a particular concept or term, such as the difference between a mand and a tact, then discuss these deficits with your supervisor. Seek out opportunities to actually apply these behavior analytic concepts and make the terms “real”. There are many terms that I now understand better because I have  implemented them during a therapy session. Just reading about them wasn’t enough for me to fully grasp it. Speaking of your supervisor, USE THEM! I have provided supervision for people pursuing certification and a common problem I notice is not asking enough questions/not asking for enough help. Especially if you are paying for supervision  then you really need to take advantage of the professional sitting in front of you at your supervision meetings.

-           Lastly, but by no means least of all, what helped me prepare for the BCBA exam the most wasPrayer. Lots and lots of prayer. I had so much anxiety about the exam, about being prepared and really doing well, and intense pressure may be necessary to make diamonds, but it’s horrible when trying to learn and process information. Optimal learning just can’t occur when the body is full of stress. Over analyzing and stressing over the exam on a daily basis will only make it that much more difficult when you are sitting down to take the exam.

*Resources:

-A blog with some great evidence based study tips: Mindful Rambles

-If you are unable to find a local study group, an online study group I can recommend is called Students of Applied Behavior Analysis, and it is on Facebook.  The group is a good mix of people at various stages of preparing for the BCBA exam, as well as experienced BCBAs who can share their experiences and tips. The group also has a resource library containing free study materials. 

-This blog post is a must read for all my peeps prepping to cross that line into BCBA status. PLEASE dont get those 4 letters behind your name and then become one of those condescending, egotistical, and just plain rude Behavior Analysts who give the field a bad name

Behavior Technician Registry (RBT) Job DIscription

Behavior Technician Registry (RBT)

Santa Clara County, Contra Costa County and Alameda  County.

Research Autistic Behavior Analysis (RABA) is looking behavior therapists (RBT) IN HOME, which offers

If you’re a Behavior Technician Registry you want to work in a team environment then, Behavior Treatment Analysis (BTA) wants to talk with you about our current openings. RBT ABA THERAPIST

.

·         We want to see your resume if you are interested in part-time afternoon work in the         field of ABA and you meet the following requirements.

·         Have experience working with children.

·         Possess Behavior Technician Registry (RBT)

·         Possess High School or  Bachelor’s

·         Have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation, and auto insurance.

·         Are available between 2:00pm and 7.00pm Monday – Saturday

·         Be able to pass DOJ and FBI fingerprinting process and have a TB test and drug screen prior to the first day of work. (Arranged after a job offer has been made)

We provide:

·         BCBA supervision

·         Fun, enthusiastic, and supportive work environment

·         Mileage reimbursement

·         Competitive pay

All interested applicants please send your resume, salary requirement information, and your cover letter to: douglas@hispanicss.org Please write “RBT RABA” in the subject line.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me directly. Douglas Lezameta Executive Research, at    925 286 6198 or via email at: douglas@hispanicss.oeg

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) JOB DISCRIPTION

JOB DISCRIPTION

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

Santa Clara County, Contra Costa County and Alameda  County.

If you’re a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who wants to provide behavioral support and program development to clients who are autistic and you want to work in a team environment then Research Autistic Behavior Analysis (RABA)  wants to talk with you about our current BCBA openings.

Essential Functions

Provide behavior consultation services to clients in school, a therapeutic office, and/or clients’ homes. 

The services are a mix of direct interaction and observation, staff oversight and training, parent training, collaboration with other care providers, and report generation/record keeping.

Provide developmentally enhancing services that are designed to support and train the children.

Attend IPP & IEP meetings as necessary.

Review and develop functional and motivational behavior assessments, behavioral plans and interventions. Must be able to review and develop a system to collect behavioral data. Responsible for interpreting the behavioral data and modifying plans and for training as necessary.

Conduct on-site and direct observation of children’s behavior and sufficiently track progress, presenting suitable data assessment for the condition.

Maintain regular communication with clients’ families.

Provide supervision for staff members pursuing certification as.BCBAs/BCaBAs

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

·         BCBA credentials with long-term ABA experience.

·   Minimum of two years developing and administering behavior plans and skills development curriculum for developmentally disabled children is essential. Extensive

·       Experience in ABA programming with this population including traditional teaching methods (e.g., discrete trial training) and naturalistic/incidental teaching and the verbal behavior approach.

·   Experience with using VB-MAPP, ABLLS, and Essential for Living Assessment and/or other developmental assessment/tracking tools.

·   Excellent English communication and interpersonal skills, including reading, speaking, writing, listening, motivating, inspiring, collaborating, and delegating.

·         Self-starter and team player.

·   Strong organizational skills with the ability to track and follow-up with multiple, simultaneous projects. Working knowledge of organizational systems, internal controls and standard of excellence.

·       Ability to create and regulate own schedule.

·       Ability to accurately record and report monthly billing.

·       Proficiency in understanding technology systems and innovations in the field.

·       Possess a valid California driver’s license with a good driving record and provide proof of insurance.

·         Successfully complete BCBA  Safety Care training after hire.

·      Candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a clear DOJ and FBI clearance, clear physical health and TB test after a conditional offer has been accepted.

Physical Requirements

·         Must be able to lift and or push at least 65 lbs.

·         Must be able to physically bend, squat, reach over shoulders, reach overhead, reach outward, kneel, sit, walk on normal, slippery, or uneven surfaces and stand.

·         Drive to schools and homes as needed.

·         Perform office work.

·         Paid drive time between clients and mileage reimbursement

·         Competitive pay

All interested applicants please send your resume, salary requirement information, and your cover letter to: douglas.lezameta@behaviortreatmentanalysis.com Please write “BCBA RABA” in the subject line.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me directly. Douglas Lezameta Executive Reaserch RRHH , at 925 286 6198  or via email at: douglas@hispanicss.org

Employment Opportunities

Behavior Treatment Analysis (BTA)  is pleased to announce new employment opportunities for:

Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) and

Register Behavior Technicians (RBT)

BTA employees work together to help our students, clients reach their full potential and to lead rewarding lives. If you are passionate about promoting a culture of continuous improvement, and committed to serving those who benefit from our services, we’d love to welcome you on board!

Employment opportunities in the following areas across : North California

Condados de: Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Rosa

BEHAVIOR TREATMENT ANALYSIS  is dedicated to improving the lives of children with Autism. We would love to have you join our team

Our team has extensive training and experience in Applied Behavior Analysis,

Our Behavior Technicians are hand-selected by our Consultants and subscribe to the same teaching philosophies.

We believe that working as a team enhances both treatment integrity and job satisfaction. Both our clients and employees often meet and exceed their goals, furthering their overall potential.

BTA offers in-home. We strive to create a stress-free environment by designing our clinics with comforting colors, stimulating toys/activities, and an inviting climate. We offer children the opportunity to engage in activities to meet their developmental needs and that allow for growth and development.

We offer:

·         Competitive hourly rates and base salaries with bonus structure

·         Flexible schedules with regard to location, time of day, and hours per week

·         Conference compensation (BCBA)

·         Client-centered, team-approach across all aspects

·         Strong focus on improving your CV through research, publications, and poster & symposium opportunities

·         We value your strengths! Do you prefer certain activities of your job (e.g. graphing, research, organization)? We want to make sure you're satisfied and love your job!

·         We welcome your specific skill set to improve the lives of our clients and agency by engaging in projects if you so choose

·         Paid RBT training for Behavior Technicians- Credentialed in the first 2 weeks of employment!

·         FREE BCBA supervision for all BCBA candidates enrolled in Masters Coursework!!!

BTA Benefits May Include:

·         Benefits

·         Staff enrichment program

·         Employee Assistance Program and Worldwide Travel Assistance

    BTA provides for the educational and residential needs of individuals with autism. Specialists in therapy, behavior management and special education instruction with innovations tools (ABA Systems) them work as a team to serve the diverse needs of our clients. Research has shown that people with developmental disabilities who are enrolled in effective programs at an early age are better equipped to achieve academic, social and workplace success, allowing them to reach their full potential and to lead rewarding lives.

      Behavior Treatment Analysis is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, disability or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state or federal law.

Job Discription

Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA)   more

Register Behavior Technicians (RBT)             more

Autism was key to human evolution, new study claims

By Penny Spikins With The Conversation

PUBLISHED: 16:53 EDT, 27 March 2017 | UPDATED: 16:58 EDT, 27 March 2017

• Autistic people can have a range of skills such as artistic ability or good memory 
• A high number of people not diagnosed with autism have autistic traits too 
• The incorporation of some of these skills into a community would have played a vital role in the development of specialists
• We know through genetic research that autism and autistic traits have been part of what makes us human for a long time

When you think of someone with autism, what do you think of?

It might be someone with a special set of talents or unique skills – such as natural artistic ability or a remarkable memory. 

It could also be someone with enhanced abilities in engineering or mathematics, or an increased focus on detail.

Research has shown that some key autism genes are part of a shared ape heritage, which predates the 'split' that led us along a 'human' path. This was when our ancient ape ancestors separated from other apes that are alive today. Other autism genes are more recent in evolutionary terms – though they are still more than 100,000-years-ol

This is because despite all the negative stories of an 'epidemic of autism' most of us recognise that people with autism spectrum conditions bring a whole range of valued skills and talents – both technical and social – to the workplace and beyond.

Research has also shown that a high number of people not diagnosed with autism have autistic traits. 

So although many of these people have not been officially diagnosed, they might be were they to go for autism-related tests. 

These people were unaware they have these traits, don't complain of any unhappiness, and tend to feel that many of their particular traits are often an advantage.

This is what we mean when we talk about the autism spectrum – we are all 'a bit autistic' – and we all fit somewhere along a spectrum of traits.

And we know through genetic research that autism and autistic traits have been part of what makes us human for a long time.

Research has shown that some key autism genes are part of a shared ape heritage, which predates the 'split' that led us along a 'human' path. 

This was when our ancient ape ancestors separated from other apes that are alive today. 

Other autism genes are more recent in evolutionary terms – though they are still more than 100,000-years-old.

Research has also shown that autism for the most part is highly hereditary. 

Though a third of the cases of autism can be put down to the random appearance of 'genetic mistakes' or spontaneously occurring mutations, high rates of autism are generally found in certain families. 

And for many of these families this dash of autism can bring some advantages.

All of this suggests that autism is with us for a reason.

And as our recent book and journal paper show, ancestors with autism played an important role in their social groups through human evolution because of their unique skills and talents.

Going back thousands of years, people who displayed autistic traits would not only have been accepted by their societies, but could have been highly respected.

Many people with autism have exceptional memory skills, heightened perception in realms of vision, taste and smell and in some contexts, an enhanced understanding of natural systems such as animal behaviour. 

And the incorporation of some of these skills into a community would have played a vital role in the development of specialists. 

It is very likely these specialists would then have become vitally important for the survival of the group.

One anthropological study of reindeer herders said: 'The extraordinary old grandfather had a detailed knowledge of the parentage, medical history and moods of each one of the 2,600 animals in the herd.

Though a third of the cases of autism can be put down to the random appearance of 'genetic mistakes' or spontaneously occurring mutations, high rates of autism are generally found in certain families, and for many of these families this dash of autism can bring some advantage. All of this suggests that autism is with us for a reason

'He was more comfortable in the company of reindeer than of humans, and always pitched his tent some way from everyone else and cooked for himself. His son worked in the herd and had been joined for the summer by his own teenage sons, Zhenya and young Sergei.'

Further evidence can be found in traits shared between some cave art and talented autistic artists – such as those paintings found in the Chauvet Cave, in southern France.

This contains some of the best preserved figurative cave paintings in the world.

The paintings show exceptional realism, remarkable memory skills, strong attention to detail, along with a focus on parts rather than wholes.

These autistic traits can also be found in talented artists who don't have autism but they are much more common in talented autistic artists.

But unfortunately despite the potential evidence, archaeology and narratives about human origins have been slow to catch up. 

Diversity has never been a part of our reconstructions of human origins.

It has taken researchers a long time to move beyond the image of a man evolving from an ape-like form that we so typically associate with evolution.

It is only relatively recently that women have been recognised as playing a key role in our evolutionary past – before this evolution narratives tended to focus on the role of men. 

The Chauvet Cave paintings (pictured) in southern France show exceptional realism, remarkable memory skills, strong attention to detail, along with a focus on parts rather than wholes. These autistic traits can also be found in talented artists who don't have autism but they are much more common in talented autistic artists

So it's no wonder that including autism – something which is still seen as a 'disorder' by some – is considered to be controversial.

And this is undoubtedly why arguments about the inclusion of autism and the way it must have influenced such art have been ridiculed.

But given what we know, it is clearly time for a reappraisal of what autism has brought to human origins. 

Michael Fitzgerald, the first professor of child and adolescent psychiatry in Ireland to specialise in autism spectrum disorder, boldly claimed in an interview in 2006 that: 'All human evolution was driven by slightly autistic Asperger's and autistic people. 

'The human race would still be sitting around in caves chattering to each other if it were not for them.'

And while I wouldn't go that far, I have to agree that without that 'dash of autism' in our human communities, we probably wouldn't be where we are today. 

Penny Spikins, Senior Lecturer in the Archaeology of Human Origins, University of York