Sharayah Tai, MS, BCBA, an applied behavior analysis (ABA) doctoral student, was invited to be a discussant and presenter at the Women in Behavior Analysis (WIBA) Conference. Tai gave an overview of procedures used in behavior analysis that have been effective in improving skill acquisition and athletic performance in athletes in the areas of health, sports, and fitness.
"This was also my first time being a discussant of a symposium, and it was a great experience talking about how much ABA is growing in areas outside of autism, specifically in the sports world," Tai said. "I enjoy being able to talk about my passions (ABA and sports) and helping others learn how to get more involved in ABA within health, sports, and fitness."
Tai conducts research related to safety skills and health, sports, and fitness under the direction of Raymond Miltenberger, PhD, BCBA-D. As a master's student, Tai worked with Miltenberger conducting her thesis on using behavioral skills training to teach safe tackling skills to football players. She says that the publication and success of that thesis inspired her to start her own company, ABA Precision Athletic Training.