Arab/MENA Voices

In this conversation, Asmahan discusses the critical need for improved safeguarding strategies in education, particularly in the context of sexual health and behavior management. She emphasizes the importance of cultural responsiveness in her work within the Arab world, highlighting the skills necessary for effective intervention. Asmahan explains the concept of behavioral activation, detailing how it can be adapted to address inappropriate sexual behaviors while respecting cultural values. The conversation also touches on her research findings, which demonstrate the effectiveness of behavioral activation in reducing such behaviors, and the practical steps involved in implementing this approach with families. She emphasizes the role of caregivers in sexual health education, the cultural and legal barriers faced in the Arab world, and the necessity of tailoring sexual health curricula to fit cultural contexts. 
This episode is on You Tube!  https://youtu.be/BeEcSi5xz6I
 
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.5 EthicsIBAO: 1.5 Cultural/EthicsQABA: 1.5 Ethics
We also offer certificates of attendance!
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LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/
Contact Asmahan
https://drasmahan.com/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/dr.asmahan.sk/
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/asmahan-saleh-ph-d-bcba-d-5737a939/
Zayed University
https://www.zu.ac.ae/
ABA Lebanon
https://abal-lebanon.com/
https://www.facebook.com/abalebanon/
Research Articles Referenced:
Ala’i-Rosales, S., Cihon, J. H., Currier, T. D., Ferguson, J. L., Leaf, J. B., Leaf, R., ... & Weinkauf, S. M. (2019). The big four: Functional assessment research informs preventative behavior analysis. Behavior analysis in practice, 12, 222-234.
Kolu, T. C. (2023). Providing buffers, solving barriers: Value-driven policies and actions that protect clients today and increase the chances of thriving tomorrow. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1-20.
Related Behaviour Speak Podcast Episodes
Episode 149: Behavior Analysis in Saudi Arabia with Dr. Shahad Alsharif
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-149-behaviouranalysis-in-saudi-arabia-with-dr-shahad-alsharif/
Episode 139 Threads of Hope: Addressing Trauma Amid War and Civil Discord with Sawsan Razzouk 
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-139threads-of-hope-addressing-trauma-amid-war-and-civil-discord-with-sawsan-razzouk-ma-bcba/
Episode 94 Behavior Analysis in Lebanon and Qatar with Rola El-Annan
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/ep-94-behaviour-analysis-in-lebanon-and-qatar-with-rola-el-annan-med-bcba/

In Episode 149, Ben chats with Dr. Shahad Alsharif, a board-certified behaviour analyst and CABAS Master Teacher. Dr. Alsharif consults with organizations that offer applied behavior analysis therapy to develop their services and train their professionals inside and outside of Saudi Arabia.  She consults with government entities, such as the Ministry of Education and the Saudi Health Council on developing initiatives and regulatory guides for the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities and standards of practice.  
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.5 EthicsIBAO: 1.5 Cultural/EthicsQABA: 1.5 Ethics
Contact:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahad-alsharif-phd-bcba-d-lba-ny-209a497b/
https://www.theseedsofknowledge.com/
https://www.instagram.com/theseedsofknowledge_
 
Links
ABA Saudi Arabia 
https://iba.abainternational.org/2023/10/03/aba-saudi-arabia-2/
Dar Al-Helkma University
https://www.dah.edu.sa/en/academics/hses/programs/Pages/Master-of-Science-in-Applied-Behavior-Analysis.aspx

In Episode 139, Ben chats with the brilliant and wonderful Sawsan Razzouk, a Lebanese behavior analyst who elegantly melds applied behavior analysis, acceptance and commitment training, and eye movement desensitization reprocessing therapy to address the effects of war. Sawson has experienced the trauma of war from the time she lay in her mother's womb as they fled wartime Liberia in the late 80s.  Now working to support families in the West Bank, refugees escaping to Lebanon, and therapists on the front lines,  Sawson and her colleagues are using what little resources they have available to them to effect change and build resilience for all affected by the horrors of war.  
Continuing Education Units (CEUs): https://cbiconsultants.com/shop
BACB: 1.5 Ethics
IBAO: 1.5 Cultural/Ethics
QABA: 1.5 Trauma-Informed Care
Contact:
https://thepsychologyshuffle.com/
https://abal-lebanon.com/our-team
https://abal-lebanon.com/special-task-force
https://www.instagram.com/the_psychology_shuffle/
Links:
The American Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African Psychological Association 
https://www.amenapsy.org/index.cfm
EMDR International
https://www.emdria.org/
Shabab Gaza
https://www.instagram.com/shababgaza/
Palestine Children's Relief Fund
https://www.pcrf.net/
Rola El-Annan on Behaviour Speak
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/ep-94-behaviour-analysis-in-lebanon-and-qatar-with-rola-el-annan-med-bcba/
Bahaur Amini on Behaviour Speak
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/ep-124-unveiling-narratives-navigating-challenges-embracing-strengths-and-increasing-the-visibility-of-arabmena-psychologists/
 
 

In Episode 124,  Ben is joined by Iranian-American psychologist, Dr. Bahaur Amini.  Dr Amini is actively involved in Arab/MENA-Psy, the Arab, Middle Eastern, & North African Psychological Association as well as a director with The Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race, a Division of the American Psychological Association (APA Division 45).   Dr. Amini discusses the work of these groups supporting Arab/MENA psychologists many of whom are struggling and feeling isolated as the Israeli-Gaza war rages on.  She also shares her experiences as a second-generation Iranian-American and first-generation psychologist.
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.5 EthicsIBAO: 1.5 Cultural/EthicsQABA: 1.5 Ethics
Contact:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bahauramini/
AMENA-Psy 
https://www.amenapsy.org/index.cfm
https://www.instagram.com/amenapsy/
 
Links: 
Arab/MENA-Psy Advocacy Page
https://www.amenapsy.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&pageId=496
Division 45
https://division45.org/
#weareMENA 
https://www.amenapsy.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&pageId=537
Join the Announce Listserv
Division 45 Announcement listserv. You are invited to join this listserv by sending an email to listserv@lists.apa.org and, in the text of your message (not the subject line), write: SUBSCRIBE DIV45ANN
Black Applied Behavior Analysts
https://babainfo.org/
Latino Association for Behavior Analysis
https://www.laba-aba.com/
Articles Referenced:
Amini, B., Raheel, O., Exum, A., & Fazzino, T. L. (2022). Mental health of Iranian immigrants and their descendants: A review. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 53(2), 192–204. https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000434

In Episode 94, Ben chats with Rola El-Annan, a Lebanese behaviour analyst currently working in Qatar. They dig into the history of behavior analysis in these Arab League nations including a deep dive into working in Lebanon after a series of incredible tragic events including the October Revolution in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Beruit Explosion of 2020.
 
Continuing Education Units (CEUs): https://cbiconsultants.com/shop
BACB: 1.5 Ethics
IBAO: 1.5 Cultural/Ethics
QABA: 1.5 Trauma-Informed Care
 
Contact Information:
Rola El-Annan, M.Ed., BCBA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rola-annan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rolaannan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rola.elannan
ABA in Lebanon
https://www.facebook.com/abalebanon
aba.lebaneseassociation@gmail.com
 
Behaviour Speak Episodes Referenced:
Abdullah Bernier
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-78-the-lived-experiences-of-syrian-refugee-parents-of-autistic-children-with-abdullah-bernier
Radwa El Tanab
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-15-bringing-behaviour-analysis-to-a-nation-with-radwa-eltanab-msc-bcba

In Episode 78, Ben chats with Abdullah Bernier. Abdullah is a doctoral student in the School and Applied Psychology program at the University of Calgary. Abdullah's research involves the investigation of the experiences of autistic individuals as well as their families through a social justice orientation. Ben and Abdullah dive deep into his work with Syrian refugee families with autistic children pre and post-migration. 
 
Continuing Education Units (CEUs): https://cbiconsultants.com/shop
BACB: 2.0 Learning
IBAO: 2.0 Cultural
QABA: 2.0 Trauma-Informed Care
 
Contact:
Abdullah Bernierhttps://www.hexagonpsychology.ca/team/abdullah-bernier 
 
Behaviour Speak Podcast Episodes Referenced:
Special Series on Support Refugees from Ukraine
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-31specialseries-onsupporting-refugeesfromukraine-episode-1coordinating-supports-forrefugee-families-ofchildrenwithdisabilities-with-sophie
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-32specialseries-onsupporting-refugeesfromukraine-episode-2tipson-providing-directsupport-toukrainianrefugee-families-with-autistic-children
Grant Bruno
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-37-the-realities-of-autism-in-first-nations-communities-in-canada-with-grant-bruno-phd-candidate
 
Research Referenced:
Bernier, A.S., McCrimmon, A.W. (2022). Attitudes and Perceptions of Muslim Parents Toward their Children with Autism: A Systematic Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 9, 320–333. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-021-00256-9
Bernier, A. S. (2021). Autism in the Context of Humanitarian Emergency: The Lived Experiences of Syrian Refugee Parents of Children on the Autism Spectrum (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. https://prism.ucalgary.ca/items/5ee1e096-5531-4ada-a8d8-eacd035cebf0

In Episode 63, Ben chats with Noor Syed, Ph.D., BCBA-D.  Dr. Syed discusses her work developing sustainable systems locally with a fantastic ABA program at SUNY Empire State College where she has applied concepts from universal design and positive behaviour interventions and supports globally through the Anderson Centre disseminating behaviour analysis worldwide.  
 
Continuing Education Units (CEUs): https://cbiconsultants.com/shop
BACB:  1.5 Ethics
IBAO:  1.5 Cultural/Ethics 
QABA: 1.5 Ethics
 
Contact Dr. Syed:
Noor.Syed@esc.edu
 
The Behaviour Speak Podcast Episodes Referenced:
Episode 9 - Adair Cardon: https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-9-behaviour-analysis-in-senegal-with-adair-cardon-ms-bcba
Episode 49 - Dr. Nicole Hollins: https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-49-free-appropriate-public-education-for-all-students-the-role-of-behavior-analysts-in-public-schools-with-dr-nicole-hollins
Episode 56: https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-56-supporting-autistic-children-in-low-resource-settings-with-james-lee-phd-bcba-d
 
Web Links:
The Global Autism Project: https://skillcorps.globalautismproject.org
Anderson International: https://www.andersoncenterforautism.org/international
SUNY Empire State College ABA Program: https://www.esc.edu/graduate-studies/graduate-degrees/education-programs/ms-applied-behavior-analysis/
Len Pierre Consulting: https://www.lenpierreconsulting.com
 
Articles Referenced:
Hilton, J., Syed, N., Weiss, M.J. et al. Initiatives to Address Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Within a Higher Education ABA Department. Behav. Soc. Iss. 30, 58–81 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42822-021-00082-y
 
 

Radwa Eltanab chats with Ben about how she went from a parent seeking services overseas for her autistic child to becoming the first certified behaviour analyst in Egypt. Radwa Eltanab shares the great need for behaviour analytic services in Egypt and the barriers to accessing those services as well as some of the great work she’s done to bring behaviour analysis to her country including a 40 hour Registered Behaviour Technician program entirely in Arabic.
 
Continuing Education Units (CEUs): https://cbiconsultants.com/shop
BACB: 1.0 Ethics
IBAO: 1.0 Cultural/Ethics
QABA: 1.0 DEI
 
Show Notes:
Florida Institute of Technology ABA Program: https://www.fit.edu/aba-online  
The Sage Colleges: https://www.sage.edu/academics/programs/applied-behavior-analysis-and-autism 
The Hanen Centre: http://www.hanen.org/Programs/For-Parents/More-Than-Words.aspx  
Makaton: https://makaton.org/TMC/About_Makaton/What_is_Makaton.aspx  
ABA Egypt Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/120988791658083  
ABA Egypt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjC3MVdJ86ULLq3xNpk94dA  
International Behavior Analysis Organization: https://theibao.com; https://theibao.com/professional_advisory_board  
Andrew Houvouras: https://abatechnologies.com/about-us/our-team/andrew-houvouras  
Josh Pritchard: https://jkpanalysts.com/about-us  
Jon Bailey: https://psy.fsu.edu/faculty/baileyj/bailey.dp.php  
Michael Mueller: mmueller@theibao.com