The Constructional Approach: A Primer with Awab Abdel-Jalil

In this conversation, Awab Abdel-Jalil discusses the evolution and significance of the constructional approach in behavior analysis. Awab Abdel-Jalil is the Associate Vice President of Applied Research at Upstate Caring Partners in Utica, NY, and a doctoral candidate at Endicott College under the mentorship of Dr. Joe Layng. He emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context, the role of ascent in learning, and the scrutiny faced by ABA, which can lead to positive changes. Awab shares his personal journey into the field, the influence of mentorship, and the legacy of Israel Gold Diamond. He also addresses common misunderstandings of nonlinear contingency analysis and highlights the growing resources available for practitioners. The conversation concludes with insights into future directions in constructional therapy and the importance of harnessing negative reinforcers in practice.

Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

BACB: 1.5 Learning IBAO:  1.5 ABA Topics QABA: 1.5 General CBA/CPD:    1.5 Learning  

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LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/awab-abdel-jalil-64541a196/

Upstate Caring Partners:

https://www.upstatecp.org/

The Institute for Applied Behavior Science at Endicott College

https://www.endicott.edu/academics/schools/institute-for-applied-behavioral-science

 

Links:

The Constructional Approach Website

https://theconstructionalapproach.com/

The Constructional Approach Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/700952357829957

Claire St. Peter on The Behavioral Observations Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5NLz4wfAT9paQfzvut11K1

Articles and Books Discussed

Abdel-Jalil, A., Linnehan, A. M., Yeich, R., Hetzel, K., Amey, J., & Klick, S. (2023). Can there be compassion without assent? A nonlinear constructional approach. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00850-9

 Goldiamond, I. (2002). Toward a constructional approach to social problems: Ethical and constitutional issues raised by Applied Behavior Analysis. Behavior and Social Issues, 11(2), 108-197. https://doi.org/10.5210/bsi.v11i2.92 (Original work published in 1974).

Goldiamond, I. (1984). Training parents and ethicists in nonlinear behavior analysis. In R. F. Dangel & R. A. Polster (Eds.), Parent training: Foundations of research and practice (pp. 504–546). Guilford.  

Layng, T. V. J., & Abdel-Jalil, A. (2022). Toward a constructional exposure therapy. Advances in Cognitive Therapy, Fall, 8–11. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373767631_TOWARD_A_CONSTRUCTIONAL_EXPOSURE_THERAPY

Layng, T. V. J., Andronis, P. T., Codd III, R. T., & Abdel-Jalil, A. (2022). Nonlinear contingency analysis: Going beyond cognition and behavior in clinical practice. Routledge. 

Liden, T. A., & Rosales-Ruiz, J. (2024a). Constructional parent coaching: A collaborative approach to improve the lives of parents of children with autism. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-024-00944-y

Linnehan, A. M., Abdel-Jalil, A., Klick, S., Amey, J., Yeich, R., & Hetzel, K. (2023). Foundations of preemptive compassion: A behavioral concept analysis of compulsion, consent, and assent. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00890-1 

Scallan, C. M., & Rosales-Ruiz, J. (2023). The constructional approach: A compassionate approach to behavior change. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00811-2  

Wilder, D. A., Ingram, G., & Hodges, A. C. (2021). Evaluation of shoe inserts to reduce toe walking in young children with autism. Behavioral Interventions, 37(3), 754–765. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1860

 

Books coming this summer:  Nonlinear Contingency Analysis: Going Beyond Cognition and Behavior in Clinical Practice. Second Edition.  Layng, T. V. J., Andronis, P. T., Codd III, R. T., & Abdel-Jalil, A.

Applications in Nonlinear Contingency Analysis.  Abdel-Jalil, A., & Linnehan, A. (Editors)