Behavioral Detective Files: From Observation to Intervention

This training is appropriate for Behavior Analysts, Educators, Caregivers, Professionals, Behavior Technicians and other individuals working with persons with challenging behavior.

Session #1: The Case for Effective Treatment: Eating Band-Aids

1. Identify the foundational mindset of behavior analysis as a problem-solving discipline—emphasizing investigation over assumption
2. Will sort given behavior by potential functions

Session #2: The Case for Individualization: 3 Running Michaels, Self-Injury

1. Identify why treatment plans must be tailored to the function observed.
2. Given case scenarios and answers to a question regarding when a behavior does or does not will sort sort behaviors into potential functions 

Session #3: The Case for Toilet Training:  Don’t be Fooled by the Name

1. Will identify the different functions that could maintain the same topography of behavior during toileting
2. Will discriminate among “toileting behaviors” arising from physiological limitations, environmental variables, anxiety, ritual and multiple control. 

Session #4: The Plan

1. Identify errors in a treatment plan provided
2. Will draft a treatment plan including behavior goal, procedure, practical description, function statement, data collection, and mastery criteria

Session #5: Writing the Case File

1. Learners will identify contextual variables that influence plan design
2. Write a chapter from the behavioral detective, scenario, clues , hypothesis, how they tested through the treatment plan (adjust based on feedback) 

Session #6: Trouble Shooting the Plan: What if it Doesn’t Work?

1.  Learners will recognize common reasons treatment plans may be ineffective—including incorrect function hypotheses, poor fit with context, lack of fidelity, or missed assent signals.
2. Learners will implement a structured approach for evaluating and revising plans ethically and effectively.

6 weekly sessions: 

• Tuesday September 16th to October 21st from 7:00-8:00 CT  
• On-Demand access to class recordings available up to two weeks following live classes 

There are no funding sources that are required to be acknowledged.

Permission has been given by clients to share images during training sessions that reflect the work we have done in therapy. The Action Heroes are trademarked and owned by Dr Sacha. 

All efforts have been made to align this training with principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Moreover, it is important to recognise the diversity of cultures and cultural values and it is hoped that this training has been respectful of the values of all cultures. It is worth noting that the context of the trainer is one of Western ‘white’ society and while the author has tried to be aware of any implicit biases, he is open to feedback on how strategies may need to be adapted for different cultures. 

Dr Sacha is the owner of Happy Minds and the creator of the Action Heroes. He currently receives royalty payments from the sales of Action Heroes products. He is a volunteer presenter and representative for the Association of Behavior Analysis in Lebanon (ABAL). Royalty payments for this course will be directed to ABAL.

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