PRINTER'S NO. 1863

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No.

367

Session of

2017

INTRODUCED BY MURT, BIZZARRO, V. BROWN, D. COSTA, DiGIROLAMO,

DRISCOLL, DUSH, HENNESSEY, HILL-EVANS, KINSEY, LONGIETTI,

MACKENZIE, McNEILL, MEHAFFIE, MILLARD, NEILSON, READSHAW,

WHEREAS, A behavior analyst is a mental health professional

who, in the United States, holds a master's degree or higher in

behavior analysis, psychology or education; and

WHEREAS, Behavior analysts must hold master's-level Board

Certified Behavior Analyst certification or meet similar

education standards; and

WHEREAS, Behavior analysis is a science, distinct from

psychology, in which processes are systematically applied to

improve socially significant behavior to a meaningful degree;

and

constantly evolving field; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ole Ivar Lovaas, a Norwegian American who earned

a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of

Washington in 1958, has investigated various therapy techniques

rooted in behavior analysis in the treatment of autistic

children; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lovaas' work has transformed the treatment of

autistic individuals, incontrovertibly establishing the practice

of applied behavior analysis as a scientifically validated

therapy for a variety of behavioral disorders; and

improvements in the lives of individuals with autism; and

WHEREAS, Behavior analysts primarily work one-on-one with

individuals with autism and may have a high caseload with

multiple patient appointments each day; and

WHEREAS, Some behavior analysts take on supervisory roles,

advising other health care providers or caregivers on behavior

intervention plans or overseeing assistant behavior analysts and

registered behavior technicians who are working directly with

patients; and

WHEREAS, "Behavior Analyst Appreciation Day" is an

Pennsylvania.