As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, my research and treatment methods are one hundred percent data driven.
I graph problem behaviors and their replacement behaviors; if the graph indicates the replacement behavior is working, then I continue with treatment.
If the graph indicates problem behaviors continue to increase or stay stagnant, then I find a different replacement behavior.
This data driven method is proven to be effective through research; journal articles involving methods from simple reinforcement schedules to more complicated cases such as obsessive compulsive disorder can be found in the online Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (J.
A.
B.
A.
).
I am required to attend conferences to keep up with my continuing education units.
I recently attended the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis' conference in Daytona.
I learned many new skills, such as how to write behavior plans for children with obesity.
One particular talk stood out; this talk focused on the affect of vaccines on children with autism.
The speaker reported there is no data to prove that vaccines are the cause of autism, and that autism happens to occur at the time when the MMR vaccine is given.
Vaccines are important to the health of our country; if our children were not vaccinated, then the risk of measles, mumps and rubella would increase.
The speaker went on to say many celebrities and doctors are trying to "ride the wave" and make a name for themselves.
Some parents are even treating their children through chelation, a treatment which removes mercury from the body, and has been reported to kill at least three children.
As a Behavior Analyst, I would have to agree with the data driven research.
Her talk made perfect sense in my logical mind; however, I wanted more information from the "other side.
" The next day, I spoke with a mother who believes her child was affected, if not from the MMR vaccine, then from some other environmental toxin.
I listened closely and all the while had one thought running through my mind "Moms don't lie.
" The vaccine theory has been disproved, but we can't stop there.
This mom went on to warn me about pesticides in my fruit; she told me not to eat blueberries unless they were organic, as they are the fruit most likely to be contaminated with pesticides.
She informed me of the "dirty dozen", the fruits that should be bought organic due to pesticides.
They are: apples, celery strawberries, peaches, spinach, nectarines, grapes, sweet bell peppers, potatoes, blueberries, lettuce and kale.
Fruit with skin is safe to buy conventional, as it is protected from chemicals.
Other advice she gave during our discussion involved only microwaving glass and using BPA free water bottles.
She also suggested new mothers become educated about vaccines and consider a modified schedule.
More information about a modified vaccination schedule can be read at http://www.
pregnancy.
org.
My data driven career will continue; however, I would like to see two sides - parents and professionals - meet in the middle.
Parents will continue to try to protect and treat their children with all available options.
My plea is to continue the research while also keeping our children safe from environmental toxins that truly exist.
Together, we will find the most effective and efficient treatments and preventative treatments.
In the meantime, let's continue to protect ourselves from chemical toxins by buying the dirty dozen as "organic", using cleaning material and other household items with only natural ingredients and continuing to take care of our environment through recycling and energy conservation.
When it comes to our health and the environment, "Every little bit counts!"