Shaping in Session: How to uses clinical decision making to have successful sessions

In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), shaping is a powerful tool used to help individuals learn new skills by rewarding small steps toward a goal. This presentation will explain how shaping works in everyday practice and how behavior professionals decide what steps to take, when to move forward, and when to adjust the plan. We’ll explore how to make thoughtful decisions based on what they see in real time, using examples from real cases. Attendees will learn how shaping is used to build complex behaviors in a gradual, supportive way, and how clear, flexible decision-making helps make learning more effective. This talk is perfect for anyone who wants to better understand how to guide learning and growth, one step at a time, while keeping their sessions successful. 

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the basic principles of shaping in ABA and how it helps individuals learn new skills through small, manageable steps.
2. Identify key factors that behavior professionals consider when deciding when to move forward, pause, or adjust during the shaping process.
3. Recognize how shaping and clinical decision-making work together to create personalized, flexible learning plans that support individual progress.

1.5 NASW CEU’s at LSW, LMSW & LCSW level. 1.5 BACB CEU’s