Dower and Associates, Inc.

12/01/2026

Really, really like this chart!

https://connectingspeech.com/blog/f/the-new-improved-speech-acquisition-chart-and-how-to-read-it

11/01/2026

This FREE webinar will provide an overview of all Direct Instruction programs for teaching numeracy. This session will help you understand the intended audience for each Authentic Direct Instruction math program. Use of the programs in general or special education sessions will be highlighted, along with other considerations in program selection. Appropriate sequencing will be featured. Scheduling, in terms of time and frequency, will also be discussed.

Questions answered will include:
⏺ How does one decide whether to use Corrective Math or Connecting Math Concepts?
⏺ When to use DISTAR Arithmetic I vs. Connecting Math Concepts Level A
⏺ When should one begin using Essentials for Algebra?
⏺ Is there are fast-track for any of the programs?

And much more!

The session will have time for questions and answers.

You may also send your questions in advance to info@nifdi.org

https://www.nifdi.org/training-events/events-calendar/free-event/math-feb-2026.html

11/01/2026

Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia Scores Legislative Victory: SLPA Licensure

"Virginia ranks as the 12th lowest in the nation for number of speech-language pathologists, with only about 50 SLPs per 100,000 people. Unsurprisingly, the shortage creates bigger workloads for SLPs. Over the past decade, leadership in the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia (SHAV) kept hearing the same message from its members (most of whom are school-based): “Our caseloads are too high,” and “Our workload is too much.” "

"In April 2025, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed HB 2040 into law—a bill that creates a formalized path to licensure for SLPAs in Virginia. The bill establishes qualifications, defines the scope of practice, and sets preliminary supervision requirements for SLPAs. The bill also adds SLPAs to the professions governed by the Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The law will go into effect by July 1, 2027."

https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/2025-1017-slpa-advocacy-win-virginia/full/

02/01/2026

Want to support SPABA? I just ordered some merch with the new logo!

Support SPABA and order today!!

Buy SPABA 2026 merchandise that supports Speech Pathology Applied Behavior Analysis. Featuring Sport Grey Classic Long Sleeve Tees, professionally printed in the USA.

01/01/2026

🎉 Happy New Year from Dower and Associates, Inc.! 🎉

As we all welcome the year ahead, I extend my very best wishes to all of Dower and Associates, Inc. followers, colleagues, past and current clients, and past team members. Thank you for being part of our professional community and for the trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to meaningful progress.

As you set your New Year’s resolutions, a friendly behavior-analytic reminder: make sure your goals are observable, operationally defined, and measurable. Clear definitions and data-driven goals set the stage for real, sustainable change.

Here’s to a year of intentional growth, thoughtful reflection, and measurable success.

Warm regards,
~ Dower and Associates, Inc.

31/12/2025

31/12/2025

Excited & nervous to be honest! Not a fan of presenting ... but here we are :)

Move past "referral relationships" and learn how to build sustainable, integrated partnerships that actually could improve client outcomes.

🎤 Speaker Announcement: Nikia Dower, MS, CCC-SLP, BCBA, LBA 🎤

We are beyond thrilled to announce that the incredible Nikia Dower is an invited speaker at WIBA's Women Behaving Boldly Virtual Conference on January 15th & 16th, 2026!

Nikia is a true "unicorn" in the field - an - one of less than 500 worldwide. In 2005, she became the first Speech-Language Pathologist in Virginia to earn the BCBA credential. With nearly 40 years of service, she owns her private practice, serves as the current President of the SPABA SIG (Speech Pathology Applied Behavior Analysis), is an advisory board member for the BF Skinner Foundation, is a board member of Commonwealth Autism, and is a long-time champion of the WIBA community.

🗣️ Featured Session:
"Beyond Our Scope: Why BCBAs Need SLPs at the Table (Not Just on Speed Dial)"

As BCBAs, we are experts in behavior change, but communication is a complex behavior governed by linguistic, pragmatic, and motor systems that often lie outside the ABA scope of practice.

In this session, Nikia will address the "uncomfortable truth" about working in silos and challenge the status quo of inadequate collaboration.

Nikia's Bold Mission:

⏺ Understand the critical competencies SLPs bring that BCBAs cannot replicate.
⏺ Learn why our professions remain parallel rather than integrated.
⏺ Get actionable strategies for building sustainable interprofessional partnerships - not just referral relationships.

It’s time to behave boldly by admitting what we don’t know and identifying exactly who we need at the table for the best client outcomes!

🎟️ Join Us for Unbeatable Value!
Don't miss the chance to learn from this powerhouse SLP-BCBA leader and earn a massive amount of CEUs for an incredible price.

Cost: Only $99 * Value: Earn 20+ CEUs (Live + On-Demand)

Register here: https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/wiba-boldly26/registration

29/12/2025

Need last-minute CEs / PDHs / CMHs / COAs to close out 2025? No worries - Speech Pathology Applied Behavior Analysis has you covered.

🎓 is available on-demand via BehaviorLive. Choose the full conference or à la carte sessions to fit your needs and your schedule.

This is the only conference in the world dedicated exclusively to SLP–BCBA collaboration and interdisciplinary practice, with thoughtful discussion of overlapping scope of practice and scope of competence across both professions.

⏰ Don’t miss your chance to finish the year strong.
👉 Register here: https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/SPABA25/registration