Unpacking CABs 3-5

1 General CEU

*This is a self-contained module from the “Beyond the Protocol” workshop, a comprehensive workshop on PFA and SBT.

Course Abstract: This module gives an in-depth overview of CABs 3 through 5, the tolerance-building steps that carry a learner from first cooperation with a task to sustained, real-world engagement. These steps are taught together because they represent one continuous journey of cooperation from brief engagement to a meaningful, real-world amount of cooperation with task demands. Participants learn how to measure cooperation and how to increase both duration and task difficulty as they go, while maintaining a ratio that keeps the work sustainable. The module covers introducing multiple branches once cooperation is established, working with “CAB2 kind of days” when a learner isn’t at their best, and keeping trials unpredictable and reinforcing enough to preserve trust as the chain grows. A substantial portion addresses troubleshooting the problems that people tend to run into most, and walks viewers through practice in CAB3–5 data collection with live video model.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to…

• Describe the purpose and progression of CABs 3 through 5, from initiating a task through sustained engagement that mirrors real-world expectations
• Measure cooperation using discrete responses or time units, and increase duration and task difficulty appropriately as the learner progresses
• Maintain unpredictability, reinforcement ratios, and trust while introducing multiple branches and responding to “CAB2 kind of days”
• Troubleshoot common CAB3–5 problems
• Collect and interpret CAB3–5 data, including scoring across discrete and time-based measures and applying mastery criteria

Presenter Bios:
Hillary Laney, MA, BCBA, LBA spearheaded a company-wide transformation to assent-based care at one of the largest ABA organizations in the country. She built the mentorship infrastructure, data systems, and implementation frameworks that resulted in hundreds of clinicians and clinical leaders being trained and thousands of clients benefiting from PFA/SBT and assent-based care practices. She currently works as a Senior VP of Clinical Services at Centria Autism.

Liisa Podosek, MSW, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA built and delivered mentorship programs that transformed how hundreds of practitioners implement PFA/SBT and assent-based care, guiding clinicians from “I read about this” to “I can do this confidently.” She brings a trauma-informed lens to mentorship, helping practitioners navigate difficult cases and develop authentic caregiver partnerships. She currently leads the development and coordination of educational offerings through PFA & SBT Community.

Dr. Edward Sanabria, Ph.D, BCBA, LBA designed and implemented large-scale PFA/SBT mentorship systems that trained clinicians across the country in assessment and treatment approaches that prioritize client safety, dignity, and assent. His research interests in interdisciplinary collaboration, reflective practice, and the large-scale adoption of behavioral interventions inform his approach to helping practitioners develop humility-driven clinical practices that build strong therapeutic relationships. He currently serves as Senior Director of Functional Analysis and Treatment Implementation at Centria Autism, where he oversees national assent-based care training initiatives and PFA/SBT mentorship.