PEAT NI - Parents Education as Autism Therapists

28/07/2025

Thank you Professor Dillenburger for all you have done and continue to do for PEAT and the many families in need across the world

After over 32 years, I am going to retire from Queen's University Belfast (QUB) this week.

I will become Professor Emerita at QUB. I will continue my commitment to behaviour analysis and advocacy for autistic people and their families.

I thank everyone for their support over all of these years. Please don't hesitate to stay in touch via email or this FB page.

Prof Karola Dillenburger

28/07/2025

📊✨ Why Data Collection Matters in ABA Home Therapy ✨📊

When it comes to ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis), one of the most powerful tools we use isn’t just reinforcement — it’s data. Yes, data!

📌 Why is data collection so important?

Because it helps us:

✅ Track progress – Are the strategies working? Is your child learning new skills?

✅ Make informed decisions – If something isn’t working, data helps us adjust the plan based on facts, not guesswork.

✅ Stay consistent – Data helps everyone on the team (therapists, parents, teachers) stay on the same page.

✅ Celebrate success – Watching the numbers change shows just how far your child has come!

🧩 Whether we’re teaching communication, managing behaviours of concern, or building independence, data tells the real story — not just how we feel things are going, but how they’re actually going.

📒 At home, data collection doesn’t have to be complicated! It can be as simple as a checklist, tally marks, or brief notes. Your ABA team can guide you in what to track and how to do it in a way that fits your daily routine.

💬 “If we’re not taking data, we’re just guessing.”

With good data, we can make every decision intentional — and every step forward meaningful.

Want to learn more? Come to our next FREE parent training in ABA session this Saturday in Belfast (see our previous post for details)

26/07/2025

This time next week, we will be making our way to Belfast to deliver the next FREE Parent Training in ABA session.

We hope to see you there!

Details in the poster below

fans

25/07/2025

Want to learn more about STAMPPP and Simple Steps (a FREE online parent training programme) – see the links below

Prof Mickey Keenan BCBA-D (University of Ulster; Principle investigator STAMPPP) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY8WqDVxwQs

Professional endorsement of Simple Steps training resource
Dr Neil Martin BCBA-D (European Association for Behaviour Analysis, EABA; Behavior Analyst Certification Board BACB) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjHpAEQWTJY

Development of Simple Steps and Parent view
Prof Tony Byrne (Chairperson, Parents Education as Autism Therapists, PEAT) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29DvcCONnzM

Iceland: Simple Steps as first resource for every family of a child diagnosed with autism
Dr Sigridur Loa Jonsdottir (The State Diagnostic and Counselling Centre Iceland) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB_sfwTITDs

Netherlands: Using Simple Steps in research
Dr Jacqueline Schenk (Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherland)
Explains how Simple Steps training resource is used in Netherlands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_96-EcoDEJg

Sweden: The impact of Simple Steps
Dr Lise Roll-Pettersson BCBA-D (University of Stockholm, Sweden) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChvBBjlrSVk

Italy: Simple Steps training
Dr Nanni Presti (The European Institute for the Study of Human Behavior, Italy) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_9LdVApQ9Q

Northern Ireland: Using Simple Steps to train parents
Dr Stephen Gallagher BCBA-D (Ulster University) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL6_C86wAOI

Simple Steps https://simplestepsautism.com

The Online Teaching Platform for the treatment of Autism Based on the science of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and supported by internationally-renowned professionals, Simple Steps offers help and hope to parents of children on the autism spectrum. It will help you understand Autism Spectrum Diso...

21/07/2025

😴🌙 Struggling with Bedtime? ABA Can Help! 🌙😴

If bedtime feels like a nightly battle in your house, you’re not alone — and there is help. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can be a game changer at home, especially when it comes to building calm, consistent nighttime routines and improving sleep. 🛏️✨

💡 How ABA Can Support Sleep and Bedtime Routines:

🔹 Creating Structure: ABA helps establish clear, step-by-step routines (like bath, pajamas, brush teeth, story time, bed) so children know what to expect each night.

🔹 Using Visual Schedules: These support understanding and independence, especially for kids who benefit from visual cues.

🔹 Reinforcing Positive Behavior: ABA uses positive reinforcement to encourage calming, cooperative bedtime behaviors.

🔹 Reducing Sleep-Disrupting Habits: Whether it’s stalling, tantrums, or trouble staying in bed, ABA can help identify why the behavior is happening and teach more appropriate alternatives.

🔹 Fostering Independence: ABA can support children in learning to fall asleep without excessive assistance, making nights smoother for everyone.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parent involvement is key — and ABA professionals work with families to create individualized strategies that make bedtime less stressful and more peaceful for everyone in the home.

🌟 A good night’s sleep isn’t just important — it’s essential for your child’s learning, behavior, and well-being (and yours too!). ABA can help turn bedtime from a struggle into a soothing, predictable routine that works for your family.

19/07/2025

🌟 Thank You to All the Parents Who Attended Today’s ABA Training! 🌟

It was really lovely to have a meaningful conversation with you all today—thank you for your time, engagement, and thoughtful reflections.

We know we’re moving at a slower pace through the training program, but that’s intentional. It’s so important that everyone feels confident and comfortable with the foundational principles before we move on to more specific strategies tailored to your individual situations.

Today, we focused on one of the core elements of ABA: the importance of immediate reinforcement. We also began exploring how to identify different types of reinforcers and tips for using reinforcement effectively. These basic tools are essential building blocks for supporting meaningful behaviour change.

Next time, we’ll revisit and refresh this content and begin expanding on it further. Thanks again for being part of this journey with us—your commitment makes all the difference!

💬🧠👏

16/07/2025

On Monday, PEAT submitted several Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to our government.

Specifically, one to the Department of Health
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/the_miscategorisation_of_aba_2

and one to the Department of Education
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/the_miscategorisation_of_aba -1896983

You can view the FOIs at the links included above.

We will share the response when received.

The following FOI request is predicated on the N. Ireland policy of adopting an eclectic approach to addressing autism needs in the community. The problem is that the government has not exercised due diligence in the management of this policy. In the USA, access to autism services provided by profes...

16/07/2025

Hi all!

Just a reminder our next FREE Parent Training in ABA session is THIS Saturday at 10am in Ulster University Belfast.

See you then

10/07/2025

📣 PEAT Committee Update

The PEAT Committee met last night and discussed possible locations for our next Parent Training in ABA programme. Given the strong interest from the Andersonstown and wider West Belfast area, we are now planning to hold the next series of trainings in West Belfast.

At this stage, no specific date or venue has been confirmed — but watch this space for updates coming soon! 👀

Thank you for your continued support. 💙

DON’T FORGET THOUGH, OUR NEXT FREE PARENT TRAINING IN ABA SESSION IS THE 19th JULY AT THE BELFAST CAMPUS OF ULSTER UNIVERSITY

04/07/2025

🧩 Free Doesn’t Mean Without Value 🧩

Our Parent Training program may be FREE but make no mistake, the experience and expertise behind it are incredibly valuable. This week, we’re highlighting the people delivering the training so you can see exactly what’s behind each session.

💬 Meet the Trainers: Scott Graham, BCBA, UKBA(cert)

Scott Graham is a dual-certified behaviour analyst, holding credentials as both a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) and a UKBA(cert). Early in his career, Scott supported our PEAT families as an in-home therapist, working directly with families to implement ABA strategies in everyday routines.

Since then Scott has acquired over a decade of experience in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), working in Ireland, the UK, and the United States, developing expertise across clinical, educational, and home-based settings.

Scott holds a Master’s degree in ABA from Ulster University and is currently completing a fully funded PhD in the School of Psychology at Ulster University. His research focuses on how behaviour analytic principles can enhance inclusive education in mainstream primary schools, with a particular focus on social participation, group-based interventions, and peer support for children with and without special educational needs.

As part of this work, Scott has published in peer-reviewed journals and continues to contribute to the evidence base for inclusive practices. Moreover, Scott has presented his research at behaviour analytic conferences both nationally and internationally.

Alongside his research, Scott has taught on both the undergraduate ABA modules and the postgraduate ABA program at Ulster University. Lastly, Scott serves as a committee member for PEAT, helping us drive our vision forward.

03/07/2025

We’ve received some interest in offering Parent Training in ABA in the Anderstown area of West Belfast, and we’re now looking to gauge the number of families that would be genuinely interested in joining.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Would you like to build confidence in using ABA at home?
📘 Would you benefit from learning more about behaviour support strategies?
💬 Would you be interested in a friendly, local group to help you feel more supported?

IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU'D BE INTERESTED IN:
➡️ Like this post
➡️ Comment below
➡️ Or DM us directly

This will help us understand the level of interest, allowing us to plan our next steps.

Please feel free to tag or share with any other parents who might benefit! This training is open to everyone!

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02/07/2025

🧩 Free Doesn’t Mean Without Value 🧩

Our FREE parent training programme is built on solid foundations—delivered by experts with years of experience in the science of behaviour and a deep commitment to helping families. Throughout this week, we're continuing to introduce the team behind the sessions to showcase the true value of what’s on offer.

💬 Meet the Trainers: Dr Stephen Gallagher, BCBA-D, UKBA(cert)

Dr Stephen Gallagher is a Senior Lecturer in Behaviour Analysis in the School of Psychology at Ulster University. He is the Course Director of the MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis and is certified as a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst – Doctoral (BCBA-D) and UKBA(cert).

Stephen has a rich background in both research and applied practice. His research interests include:
🔹 Parent training
🔹 Early behavioural intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
🔹 Increasing social interaction and independence in institutionalised elderly populations
🔹 Dementia and ageing
🔹 The use of eye-tracking technology to teach appropriate gaze behaviours, including in contexts like food labelling and social interaction

Before joining Ulster University in 2007, Stephen spent seven years working in the community as a Consultant Behaviour Analyst with PEAT. There, he helped develop Simple Steps—a multimedia training tool for parents of children with autism, now translated into 12 languages and used internationally. You can sign up to Simple Steps for FREE at https://simplestepsautism.com

As a Consultant Behaviour Analyst with PEAT, Stephen designed and implemented both home- and school-based ABA programmes for children and adults with autism. Today, he continues to serve the organisation as Chairperson, reinforcing his long-standing commitment to evidence-based family support.

📺 Recently, Dr Stephen delivered a webinar on the importance of parent training in addressing the needs of the family.
You can watch the webinar at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDM1qT77YKc&list=PLh49ezH0wG9exMEitdmQDNFnaEZeifVYk&index=123&t=295s

We are incredibly lucky to have Dr Gallagher as part of our training team. Stay tuned this week as we continue to showcase the experience behind our FREE parent training initiative.