Caregivers Guide: Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) & the FASD Brain

Live Interactive Online Training offered on Zoom

Date:  Thursday, September 3, 2026
Time:  10:00 – 11:30 am EST ( 9-10:30am CT, 8-9:30am MT, 7-8:30am PST)
Cost:  Pay What You Can Basis – 0, $5, $10, $15, $20

Training Description:

If you have tried traditional Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, behavior charts, or strict reinforcement schedules with your child, only to watch their frustration and their behavior escalate, you are not alone. More importantly, your child isn’t “failing” therapy, and your provider isn’t necessarily a bad practitioner.

Most traditional ABA approaches were designed around the learning profiles of autistic individuals. However, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) involves structural, physical changes to the brain itself. Because FASD directly alters how a child processes time, stores memory, and manages impulses, using a standard ABA script will not just miss the mark; it will frequently backfire.

The good news is that ABA can work for FASD, but it requires a shift in practice. This presentation will help create a blueprint for how behavioral strategies must be adapted, how to spot the right provider for your family, and how to advocate for a modified approach that respects your child’s unique brain.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize why traditional ABA approaches may not always be effective for individuals with FASD.
• .Identify adaptations that make behavioral interventions more successful for individuals with FASD.
• Identify what to look for in a FASD-informed provider.
• Advocate confidently for supports that accommodate their child’s unique learning and behavioral needs.

Presenters:

Sydney Finkenbine, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, COBA

Sydney is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), former foster parent to teens, many of whom were impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), and the co-founder of ALL Integrated YOU, a program committed to accessible, lifelong and local support. She also serves as the Behavioral Health Director at CAMP – A FASD Community, where she leads a dedicated team to create supportive, enriching experiences that help youth have the best week of their lives. Sydney is deeply committed to trauma-informed care, family collaboration, and elevating the voices of those with lived experience.

Originally from Chicago and now a proud Michigander, Sydney loves spending time with her wife, son, and their two pups. Together, they enjoy exploring local cuisine, discovering new walking trails, and learning new board games.

Emma Thomas, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA

Emma is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D) and co-founder of ALL Integrated YOU. With over 18 years of experience, she has worked with individuals with disabilities in a wide range of settings. Emma is dedicated to achieving meaningful, person-centered outcomes and is passionate about using evidence-based practices to enhance quality of life and foster independence for the individuals and families she supports.

Originally born in Finland, Emma now lives in Michigan with her husband, their baby daughter, and their dog. In her free time, she enjoys discovering new restaurants, spending time with family, and traveling.