What is Applied Behavior Analysis?

Behavior analysis focuses on the principles that explain how learning takes place. Positive reinforcement is one such principle. When a behavior is followed by some sort of reward, the behavior is more likely to be repeated. Through decades of research, the field of behavior analysis has developed many techniques for increasing useful behaviors and reducing those that may cause harm or interfere with learning.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the use of these techniques and principles to bring about meaningful and positive change in behavior.

As mentioned, behavior analysts began working with young children with autism and related disorders in the 1960s. Early techniques often involved adults directing most of the instruction. Some allowed the child to take the lead. Since that time, a wide variety of ABA techniques have been developed for building useful skills in learners with autism – from toddlers through adulthood.

These techniques can be used in structured situations such as a classroom lesson as well as in “everyday” situations such as family dinnertime or the neighborhood playground. Some ABA therapy sessions involve one-on-one interaction between the behavior analyst and the participant. Group instruction can likewise prove useful

— Autism Speaks

“As an integral member of a student’s multi-disciplinary educational team, Dana Slackman’s vast knowledge and expertise in behavior analysis has earned her the respect and admiration of all her team members. Her analytical interpretation of behavior and perceptive understanding about motivation allows her to identify student specific learning styles and to offer recommendations about teaching strategies that will promote skill acquisition in our most challenging learners. Dana is a hard working individual who is dedicated to supporting the needs of her students. An effective communicator, she readily imparts her knowledge to the instructors and therapists on her team. It is privilege to work Dana, a true professional of the highest caliber.”

Genevieve Gin, Psy.D.
School Psychologist Saddle Rock Elementary School
John F. Kennedy Elementary School

As a building principal for the better part of thirteen years, I have never worked with a behavioral consultant with more knowledge, empathy, and good judgment than Dana Slackman. She is tireless in her efforts to support both teachers and students and is trusted and revered by parents and community alike. The staff in our intensive needs classes have the utmost respect for Ms. Slackman as does the building and district administration

Eric Nezowitz
Principal Saddle Rock Elementary School
Great Neck Public Schools

Dana Slackman’s expertise in behaviors and her ethical practice make for an extremely supportive behavior analyst. She not only helps the students she works with, but the educators as well. I’m always impressed by her knowledge and how creative she can be in a classroom setting. I’ve been very fortunate to work with Dana and have become a better special education teacher due to her support

Patricia Schoelle
Special Education Teacher
Saddle Rock Elementary School
Great Neck Public Schools

I have had the pleasure of working on teams with Ms. Slackman for the last six years. Ms. Slackman understands the importance of communication and makes sure that team members have all of the necessary information to make informed decisions when working with students. She presents ideas clearly to parents and staff and provides feedback and training in a constructive way, making sure that the team is working effectively and in tandem. Ms. Slackman is approachable and works collaboratively with staff to develop well-thought out and evidenced-based plans for students. When providing training and feedback, Ms. Slackman provides strategies and support that enable team members to feel confident in their ability to understand the function of behaviors and to manage them appropriately

Melanie Weingarten, M.A. CCC-SLP
Speech and Language Pathologist
Saddle Rock School
Great Neck Public Schools

School Consultation

Our Board Certified Behavior Analyst consultants concentrate on building upon the skills of the staff and supporting classroom environments, allowing school districts to serve students more effectively. Consultants work with teams serving students in a range of placements from full inclusion to self-contained special education programs.

Program Review

A comprehensive review of the learner’s current home/school program. Recommendations are made based on observations in those environments.

Parent Training

One to one interaction between the behavior analyst, parents and/or other family members and caregivers to provide strategies to help reduce problem behavior(s) which may interfere with functional communication, daily living skills or just to help improve the quality of life in your home.

Home Consultation

Our Board Certified Behavior Analyst consultants provide comprehensive home consultations including specific programming based upon the needs of the learner in the home environment.

Dana Slackman, MS Ed, BCBA, LBA, TSHH

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Dana Slackman is the Managing Director and Senior Behavioral Consultant for the Dana Slackman Licensed Behavior Analyst PC agency, a firm which specializes in providing services to Long Island school districts and families.

Ms. Slackman has twenty years of experience in school environments, including her early career employment as a special education teacher in a self-contained, early childhood classroom and as a school-based speech therapist. Ms. Slackman has been a consultant offering expertise in support of the needs of students who require specialized services to succeed. Her focus is on assessing and mitigating behaviors that interfere with skill development and classroom functioning. Challenging situations stimulate Ms. Slackman’s creativity in developing a unique intervention for her clients. She has been credited with achieving striking improvements even when students present with the most challenging issues. Conducting in-depth student evaluations, both through direct classroom observation as well as IEP examination, Ms. Slackman becomes an expert in the needs of the students she advises. With licensure and board certification as a behavior analyst, Ms. Slackman has expertise in providing practical strategies provided directly to students, parents, teachers and other members of the multi-disciplinary team in school settings.

Ms. Slackman works with an elite group of board certified behavior analysts who meet her rigorous standards. Her associates are subject to her continual oversight and quality control to ensure that the services being delivered are superb. They are experts in conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and developing effective Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs). The plans are revised at appropriate intervals based on relevant data and observations.

CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSURE

NY State Licensed Behavior Analyst, 2015

NY State Special Education Teacher, 2001 (Permanent)

NY State Certified Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped, 2001 (Permanent)

EDUCATION

Advanced Degree, Behavior Analysis, 2009. Florida Institute of Technology – Melbourne, FL

MS in Education, Special Education, 1999. Long Island University/C.W. Post – Brookville, NY

BA, Speech Language Pathology, 1995. Hofstra University – Hempstead, NY

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Director / Senior Consultant	Dana Slackman Licensed Behavior Analyst PC, Commack, NY	2001 – Present
Special Education Teacher	School for Language & Communication Development, Glen Cove, NY	1999 – 2001
Teacher Assistant	Little Village School, Bellmore, NY	1997 – 1999
Speech Teacher	Lindenhurst Union Free School District, Lindenhurst, NY	1996 – 1997