PEAT NI - Parents Education as Autism Therapists

08/09/2026

Hey parents, do you have a child, young person or adult who is having toileting difficulties? If so, please read this post!

Last week at the Applied Behaviour Analysis Conference at Brunel University of London, we had the chance to meet and learn from the wonderful Nursel Gonzalez.

Nursel Gonzalez has been a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) since 2014 and is also a Certified Behaviour Analyst (ACC-A Grade A) in France. She has a master's degree in special education and specialises in autism, neurodevelopmental disabilities, toilet training and paediatric functional constipation.

She founded Pôle Essentiels, where she provides consultation, training and supervision to professionals, organisations and families. She is currently completing a PhD at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, researching behavioural interventions for paediatric functional constipation alongside medical treatment. Her research focuses on interdisciplinary, evidence-based biobehavioural approaches to continence, encopresis and toileting difficulties in autistic children and those with other neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Nursel has graciously offered to provide some FREE online workshops and/or consultations for families in need. However, in order to provide the best advice, we need to understand the issues you are facing. If you are interested, please DM us to explain your current situation, and we'll share it with Nursel and schedule either a workshop or a consultation session in due time.

Again, Nursel, thank you so much for offering this support! From everyone at PEAT, we are extremely thankful :)

06/09/2026

At the Applied Behaviour Analysis 2026 conference, PEAT committee member Dr Scott Graham also shared some of his PhD research into classwide interventions aimed at increasing prosocial interactions between SEN and non-SEN students in mainstream school settings

05/09/2026

It was fantastic to hear Professors Mickey Keenan and Karola Dillenburger mention PEAT and the Simple Steps programme during their presentations at the Applied Behaviour Analysis 2026 Conference at Brunel University of London! 🎓👏

Both PEAT and Simple Steps have played an important role in making evidence-based behaviour analysis and parent training more accessible to families.

It’s brilliant to see these approaches being recognised and discussed at a conference alongside so many professionals, researchers, parents and advocates who are passionate about improving outcomes for children and families.

A great reminder of the importance of making evidence-based support accessible, practical and meaningful for parents. ❤️

27/08/2026

The Applied Behaviour Analysis Conference 2026 is a two-day hybrid conference hosted at Brunel University of London on 5–6 September 2026.

20/08/2026

Getting Ready for School: How ABA Can Help Your Child Transition Back in September 🎒🏫

With September just around the corner, many parents are starting to think about getting their children ready to return to school.

For some children, particularly autistic children or children who find changes in routine difficult, the transition back to school can feel really big. The good news is that there are simple, evidence-based strategies from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that parents can use to make this transition a little easier.

Here are a few ideas to try over the next couple of weeks:

🔹 Start adjusting routines gradually

If bedtime, waking up, breakfast or getting dressed have changed during the summer, begin moving them closer to the school routine now. Small changes are often easier than trying to change everything on the first day.

🔹 Make the new routine predictable

Visual schedules, calendars, photographs or simply talking through the day’s activities can help children understand what is going to happen next. For example:

Wake up → Get dressed → Breakfast → Brush teeth → School → Home → Favourite activity

🔹 Practise the tricky bits

If getting dressed, putting on a school uniform or travelling to school is difficult, practise these things when there is no pressure to get it perfect.

Keep practice short and successful.

🔹 Use positive reinforcement ⭐

Notice and celebrate the behaviours you want to see.

That might be:
“Great job putting your shoes on!”

“You got your school bag ready!”

“You came inside even though it was difficult — well done.”

🔹 Don’t wait for behaviour to become an issue

One of the most important principles in ABA is understanding what happens before and after behaviour.

If we know that a particular part of the school routine is difficult, we can think about what support we can provide before the difficulty occurs.

For example, if leaving the house is usually stressful, could we prepare clothes the night before? Use a visual schedule? Build in extra time?

🔹 Give choices where you can

“Do you want to put your shoes on first or your coat?”

“Do you want to walk to the car or hold my hand?”

Small choices can give children a sense of control during a time when lots of things may feel outside of their control.

🔹 Practise asking for help or a break

If your child finds school overwhelming, consider teaching and practising a simple way to communicate:

“I need help.”

“I need a break.”

“It’s too loud.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I want to go home.”

Being able to communicate these needs can be much more useful than expecting a child to simply tolerate something that is overwhelming.

🔹 And remember… behaviour is communication. ❤️

If your child struggles when returning to school, try to look beyond the behaviour itself.

Ask:

What might they be communicating?

What has changed?

What might be difficult about this situation?

What support could we provide?

ABA isn’t simply about changing behaviour. At its best, it helps us understand behaviour, identify what a person needs, and change the environment and our support so that people can be more successful.

The goal shouldn’t be “How do I make my child behave at school?”

A better question might be:

“How can we make school a place where my child feels safe, supported, understood and able to participate?”

If you’re a parent preparing your child for the return to school in September, start small. You don’t need to change everything at once. A few small changes now can make the transition much smoother. 🌟

05/08/2026

How can applied behavior analysis interventions improve learning, safety, and daily life for people with autism across real world settings?

04/08/2026

Just One Month to Go! 🎉

The countdown is on! In just one month, the Applied Behaviour Analysis Conference 2026 will take place at Brunel University of London, bringing together an outstanding line-up of speakers from across the UK and around the world.

As we’re sharing this from the PEAT (Parents’ Education as Autism Therapists) page, it’s especially exciting to see so many familiar faces with strong connections to PEAT over the years. The programme includes PEAT founder Prof. Mickey Keenan, along with PEAT committee member Dr Scott Graham, and long-time friends and supporters of PEAT including Prof. Karola Dillenburger, Dr Neil Martin, and Prof. Gina Green, alongside many other internationally respected speakers.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, behaviour analyst, clinician, researcher, or student, this conference will explore the latest developments in autism, evidence-based practice, policy, and practical approaches to supporting autistic people and their families.

✅ Attend in person in London or online from anywhere in the world.
✅ CEUs will also be available for those seeking professional development.

🎟 Register here: https://lnkd.in/eZZE8A7W

Please feel free to share this post with anyone who may be interested!

14/07/2026

Congratulations, Gina and thank you for all you have done worldwide and in N.Ireland over the years.

🌟 2026 WIBA Hall of Fame Inductee: Gina Green, PhD, BCBA-D
There are people who contribute to a field. And then there are people who help build it from the ground up — who fight for its standards, defend its science, and make sure it never loses sight of the people it exists to serve.
Dr. Gina Green is the latter.
Born in Montgomery, Alabama in 1951, she earned her PhD from Utah State University in 1986 and spent the decades that followed doing what very few people have the range, the rigor, and the sheer tenacity to do. She conducted landmark research on stimulus equivalence, autism intervention, and evidence-based practice. She was one of the earliest and most vocal critics of Facilitated Communication — at a time when that stance was controversial — and she was right. She testified before legislatures, fought for insurance coverage of ABA services, helped shape the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, founded the Association for Science in Autism Treatment, and served as CEO of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts for over a decade.
Over 340 conference presentations. More than 170 keynote and invited addresses. Fellowships from ABAI, APA, and the Council for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health. A Don Hake Award. A Sidman Award. A Gerald L. Shook Advocacy Award. An honorary doctorate from The Queen's University of Belfast.
She is one of the most consequential women in the history of behavior analysis — a scientist, a mentor, an advocate, and an architect of modern ABA.
We are deeply honored to welcome Dr. Gina Green to the 2026 WIBA Hall of Fame. 🎉
Come hear her full story at .

Register: https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/wiba26/registration

🌟 2026 WIBA Hall of Fame Inductee: Gina Green, PhD, BCBA-D

There are people who contribute to a field. And then there are people who help build it from the ground up — who fight for its standards, defend its science, and make sure it never loses sight of the people it exists to serve.

Dr. Gina Green is the latter.

Born in Montgomery, Alabama in 1951, she earned her PhD from Utah State University in 1986 and spent the decades that followed doing what very few people have the range, the rigor, and the sheer tenacity to do. She conducted landmark research on stimulus equivalence, autism intervention, and evidence-based practice. She was one of the earliest and most vocal critics of Facilitated Communication — at a time when that stance was controversial — and she was right. She testified before legislatures, fought for insurance coverage of ABA services, helped shape the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, founded the Association for Science in Autism Treatment, and served as CEO of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts for over a decade.

Over 340 conference presentations. More than 170 keynote and invited addresses. Fellowships from ABAI, APA, and the Council for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health. A Don Hake Award. A Sidman Award. A Gerald L. Shook Advocacy Award. An honorary doctorate from The Queen's University of Belfast.

She is one of the most consequential women in the history of behavior analysis — a scientist, a mentor, an advocate, and an architect of modern ABA.

We are deeply honored to welcome Dr. Gina Green to the 2026 WIBA Hall of Fame. 🎉

Come hear her full story at .



Register: https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/wiba26/registration

30/06/2026

📢 Join us at the Applied Behaviour Analysis Conference 2026

PEAT is delighted to share details of this important conference, which will bring together leading experts to explore the future of autism support, education, and evidence-based practice.

We are especially proud that PEAT founder, Professor Mickey Keenan, and current PEAT committee member, Dr Scott Graham, will both be presenting as part of an outstanding line-up of internationally recognised speakers.

This conference will provide a welcoming space for discussion by bringing together academics, clinicians, educators, researchers, therapists, legal professionals, policy makers, and families to explore contemporary Applied Behaviour Analysis, ethical considerations, inclusion, and practical strategies to support autistic children and their families. The conference will also support informed decision-making and empower parents to engage confidently with educational and healthcare systems.

Whether you’re a parent, family member, educator, or professional, this promises to be an informative and thought-provoking event.

If you’d like to attend, registration is simple—just scan the QR code on the conference poster or click the link below and follow the registration instructions. Both in-person and online attendance are available, so you can join from wherever you are.

https://www.brunel.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/2026/Applied-Behaviour-Analysis-Conference-2026

We hope to see many of you there!

11/06/2026

Our next FREE parent training session is Saturday 20th June

Time: 10:00am - 12:30pm
Location:** Foodstock EEC, 56 Kings Street, Belfast BT1 6AD

This session will be relaxed, welcoming, and practical — a chance to come together with other parents and talk about the real-life challenges (and joys!) of supporting your children

We encourage parents to come along with ideas or areas of family life where you'd like a bit of guidance or support — whether that's behaviour, routines, communication, or emotional wellbeing.

The session will be shaped around what *you* want help with.
*Free to attend (no need to sign up)
*Friendly and supportive environment
*Practical strategies you can use straight away

We'd love to see you there — come as you are and bring your questions