"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the most responsive to change." - Charles Darwin

"The deepest sin against the human mind is to believe things without evidence."- T.H. Huxley

"The best predictor of future behavior, is past behavior."- Dick Malott

Welcome to Iowa ABA

 You have reached The Iowa Association for Behavior Analysis (Iowa ABA) website. Iowa ABA is a statewide organization whose purpose is to develop and advance the field of appled behavior analysis within the State of Iowa through research, education, and dissemination of information. Signatures of Association for Behavior analysis InternationalTM members who support the formation of this State Chapter include: Bill Steffen, Susan Smith, James Prickett, David Wacker, Jeffery Luke, Tory Christensen, Maria Valdovinos, Michael Davis, Terry Falcomata, Louis Veneziano, Joel Ringdahl, & John Pokrzywinski. 

Mission/Objectives

Iowa ABA is organized as a chapter of the Association for Behavior Analysis International for professional, scientific, and education purposes. Specifically, the organization shall:

• Serve as a scientific and professional reference group for all in the State of Iowa who identify themselves as scientists or practitioners in disciplines that embrace the principles and practices of behavior analysis;
• support the development of professional credentialing for the practice of behavior analysis within the State of Iowa;
• Support the development of standards of practice for behavior analysis within the State of Iowa;
• identify and promote the use of effective and humane behavioral procedures in meeting the educational and habilitative needs of both normal and intellectually disabled persons within the State of Iowa;
• Educate and advise political, legislative, and policy-making bodies with respect to all matters pertaining to behavior analysis in the State of Iowa;
• Promote and support the conduct of behavior analytic research and practice within the State of Iowa.

 Iowa ABA membership is open to all persons interested in or actively engaged in teaching, research, and/or application of the principles and procedures of behavior analysis. Membership is not restricted to residents of the State of Iowa. There are four classes of membership:

• Full Member: Any individual holding a terminal degree in a discipline directly related to or involving behavior analysis and whose full-time professional commitment includes teaching, research and/or practice in behavior analysis may apply for membership in this category. 

• Affiliate Member: Any member evidencing interest in the discipline of behavior analysis, but lacking formal training therein, may apply for this class of membership. Affiliate members will enjoy all benefits except for the right to vote on matters of interest to the organization and the right to hold office.

• Student Member: Any individual pursuing formal training in the discipline of behavior analysis but not yet gainfully employed therein on at least a half-time basis may apply for membership in this category. Such application must be accompanied by an endorsement of a Full member certifying the applicant’s student status. Student members may neither vote nor hold office.

• Family Membership:  A family membership can be obtained for any family within which there is a vested interest in learning about or using the principles of behavior analysis.