Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Practice in Arab Region

4 free in-person BACB & QABA CEUs

The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Practice in Arab Region mini conference, brings together leading professionals, practitioners, and stakeholders to explore advancements and best practices within the field of ABA across a range of settings and specializations. From private centers to schools and hospitals, attendees will engage in rich discussions on the application of ABA in both clinical and educational environments, as well as its growing role in organizational behavior management, particularly within the UAE and the broader Arab region.

The conference will also highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, with sessions dedicated to the integration of ABA with speech therapy and other complementary services. As ABA continues to shape the landscape for individuals with autism and other developmental challenges, this event provides a crucial platform to exchange insights, foster partnerships, and identify future growth opportunities for ABA practice in the UAE &  beyond.

SUPPORTED BY

Goals of the conference

  • Explore and highlight the predominant models of ABA therapy used in private centers across the UAE, emphasizing their adaptation to the local cultural and socioeconomic context.
  • Identify and address the key challenges facing ABA practice in the UAE, such as the shortage of trained professionals, high service costs, and limited public awareness and insurance coverage.
  • Propose actionable solutions to improve ABA services in private centers, including expanding local training programs, advocating for better insurance policies, and fostering collaboration among practitioners, families, and educational institutions.
  • Equip participants with the skills to differentiate between various communication disorders through interactive, hands-on training.
  • Provide practical experience in assessing and addressing communication challenges in children, focusing on typical and atypical communication development.
  • Offer strategies to enhance communication skills, including improving play, attention, listening, and language development in diverse settings.
  • Discuss how to adapt ABA-based programs for implementation in school settings by non-ABA trained professionals.

  • Ensure that data-driven decision-making is maintained throughout the implementation of ABA programs in schools.

  • Highlight appropriate data collection methods and emphasize the importance of staff monitoring during program implementation in schools.

  • Provide an overview of ABA) principles and its application in enhancing patient care within UAE hospitals through behavior management and skill acquisition.

  • Identify key challenges in implementing ABA in UAE healthcare settings, including cultural considerations and the shortage of trained professionals, while discussing strategies for overcoming these barriers.

  • Offer practical examples and strategies for successful ABA implementation, including professional training and the development of supportive frameworks, while fostering a culture of acceptance

  • Learn how applying OBM strategies can create a more uniform and reliable approach in early intervention.
  • Understand how regular feedback and targeted training can help therapists be more capable and improve their effectiveness in delivering interventions.
  • Discover how OBM’s structured methods can significantly improve children’s progress in acquiring and generalizing new skills.
  • Summarize key takeaways from the sessions and highlight innovative practices discussed throughout the conference.
  • Identify emerging trends and areas of growth for ABA in the UAE, particularly in terms of expanding access to ABA services across various sectors.
  • Encourage collaborative initiatives to promote research, training, and continued professional development in ABA within the UAE context

SPEAKERS

11:00 – 11:40
Opening Speech

Ali Hussain Almousawi

Senior Projects Manager

Ministry of Community Development (MOCD)

11:40 – 12:00
Opening Remarks

Mahmoud A. Mahmoud 

Program Director – Sanad Village – Dubai

Founding member of the Behavior Analysis Arabic Board (BAAB)

ABA Mini Conference Coordinator

12:00 – 12:50
ABA Practice in Private Centers in the UAE

Mrs.  Lama Ayoub

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

International Behavioral Consultant – Dubai

Founding Member of the Behavior Analysis Arabic Board (BAAB)

This presentation reviews the current state of ABA practices in UAE private centers, focusing on models like one- on-one, group-based, school-based, and home-based therapy. It examines how these are tailored to the UAE’s cultural and socioeconomic context to enhance functional independence and social skills. Challenges such as a shortage of professionals, high costs, limited insurance, and low public awareness are highlighted. The presentation suggests expanding local training programs, advocating for better insurance policies, and fostering collaboration among practitioners, families, and institutions to improve ABA services in the UAE.

12:50 – 13:40
Introduction to assessment and intervention of communication skills in children

Dr. Mariam Khater

Speech and Language Consultant

Phoneme Abilities Development Center – Abu Dhabi

In relation to ABA, this workshop will provide an in-depth exploration of the main skills necessary for effective communication, emphasizing the differentiation of various communication disorders through interactive, hands-on training. Participants will learn to identify typical and atypical communication development, gaining practical experience in assessing and addressing communication challenges. The workshop will also offer a range of strategies to enhance communication skills, with a focus on improving play skills, attention, listening, and language development. Through engaging activities and real-life examples, attendees will leave equipped with the tools to support and improve children’s communication abilities in diverse settings.

14:20 – 15:10
ABA Practice in UAE Schools

Sean Heaney, PH.D., BCBA

Program Specialist

The New England Center for Children Clinic – Abu Dhabi

Programs based on the principles of ABA are successfully implemented in centers across the UAE by highly qualified personnel of the field. However, many students in need of these services attend public and private schools and require a tailored program that can be both effective and easy to implement by non-ABA trained professionals. This talk will discuss how to adapt ABA based programs to a school setting while ensuring data driven decision making continues to occur. The session will also highlight data collection methods appropriate to a school setting and the importance of staff monitoring during implementation.

14:20 – 15:10
Implementing ABA in UAE Hospitals: Strategies and best Practices

Mrs. Eman Abushabab

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Medcare Hospital – Dubai

This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of ABA and its application within UAE hospitals. Beginning with an introduction to ABA’s core principles, the session explores its role in enhancing patient care through behavior management and skill acquisition. The presentation highlights the current state of ABA practices in UAE healthcare settings, identifying key challenges such as cultural considerations and the availability of trained professionals. Strategies for successful ABA implementation are discussed, including the development of supportive frameworks, professional training, and creating a culture of acceptance. Practical examples and interactive components will be included to demonstrate ABA techniques and tools. The session concludes with a Q&A segment, offering attendees an opportunity to discuss their experiences and seek further insights. This presentation aims to give an overview about the applications of ABA in the UAE hospitals.

16:00 – 17:00
Implementing Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) Strategies in Early Intervention: Enhancing Efficiency, Consistency, and Outcomes

Mossab Alzhrani

CEO of Rushd Company – KSA

Founding Member of the Behavior Analysis Arabic Board (BAAB)

This presentation will explore how Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) strategies can enhance early intervention programs by creating a more consistent and effective approach. Attendees will learn how the implementation of regular feedback and targeted training can improve therapists’ skills, helping them become more proficient in delivering interventions. Additionally, the session will highlight how OBM’s structured methods can significantly improve children’s progress in acquiring and generalizing new skills. By applying these evidence-based OBM strategies, professionals can ensure more reliable outcomes and higher standards of care in early intervention settings.

17:00 – 17:30
Reflection on the sessions and closing remarks

Mahmoud A. Mahmoud 

Program Director – Sanad Village – Dubai

Founding member of the Behavior Analysis Arabic Board (BAAB)

The final session of the mini conference aims to provide a summary of key insights and innovative practices discussed throughout the event. It will highlight the most significant takeaways from each session, emphasizing emerging trends and growth opportunities for ABA in the UAE. The session will also focus on ideas for expanding access to ABA services across various sectors, promoting collaboration among professionals. The session seeks to drive ABA advancements and foster a stronger, more connected ABA community within the UAE.