What is the DGVA?

By Robert Schramm, MA, BCBA

In Germany, the advancement and awareness of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has come later than in most English speaking and other European countries. However, it is finally here in a qualified form and is demonstrating a level of effectiveness for children with Autism and other disabilities that previously had not been seen on such a grand scale.

With this new awareness and popularity, there are many important issues that develop in regards to the way the ABA is presented and protected in the German language. Some of these issues regard proper translation of ABA terminology, access to well trained providers, access to appropriate training for those who wish to provide ABA services, cost coverage for families wanting these services, and balancing the integrity of ABA services while trying to meet a growing demand.

These issues have been a part of my concern since starting Knospe-ABA in 2004. They have also been a part of the concern of ABA worldwide since its inception in the early 20th century. As a Behavior Analyst who has been intensely trained and properly credentialed in ABA according to the standards of the international ABA community, I am constantly trying to balance, growing our staff to meet the demand for services while being sure not to water down the value of the ABA we are offering. I also care that the quality of services labeled in Germany as "ABA" provided by others do not fall below the international standards and expectations as this will only hurt the perception of the value of ABA in German society.

These are very difficult issues as there are not currently any ABA training programs available in Germany that are approved by the international ABA community (a fact that I am personally committed to changing). The international ABA community is made up of the many thousands of Behavior Analysts and radical behavior researchers who have combined and developed associations, and certification programs designed to assure a level of competency for ABA around the world. The three main associations currently guiding the science of ABA in the world are the Association of Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), and the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA).

With the existence of these groups maintaining tens of thousands of members worldwide, it is inappropriate and potentially dangerous for individuals (especially those not trained in and supportive of the international ABA community) to try to define ABA, Label it, or train people in ABA in Germany. Any attempt to reinvent ABA in Germany without meeting the expectations and responsibilities of the larger international community is not appropriate. It is also destined to either fail completely or dilute and diminish the value of ABA for those who need the service.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (VT) has existed in Germany for many years and has developed into a very large and important therapy option for people with all sorts of maladies. In VT there is some overlap with ABA regarding an understanding and use of the basic behavioral principles. However, there are some major differences between the Cognitive Behavior Therapy that has existed in Germany for years and the science behind Radical Behaviorism that has developed into Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The services available and derived from ABA do not in any meaningful way equate to the services one would expect from Cognitive Behavior Therapists. It is important that families of children with Autism and other disabilities have a choice between these two vastly different forms of Behavioral intervention. There are currently two major Cognitive Behavior Therapy (Verhaltenstherapie) societies in Germany, the DGVT (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Verhaltenstherapie) and the DVT (Deutscher Fachverband für Verhaltenstherapie e. V.). Both are responsible to the international tenants of Cognitive Behavior Therapy or VT (Verhaltenstherapie) as we need any German societies related to radical behaviorism to be. For this reason, most of the ABA providers who have been trained and/or work under the International training expectations for ABA as set out by the (ABAI, BACB and APBA) have gotten together to start the first German Society for Behavior Analysis called "Deutsche Gesellschaft für Verhaltensanalyse - DGVA" (www.dgva.org). The terminology "Verhaltensanalyse" was specifically chosen to mirror the international terminology of ABA and to separate itself from the scientific approach to cognitive behavior therapy or VT.

I am a member of the DGVA and have been voted into the leadership board of the DGVA for the year of 2011-12, along with Board Certified Behavior Analysts Mareike Overhof from ABA-Praxis and Julia Buchenau-Schlömer from the Autism Therapy Center in Cologne called "ATZ – Köln". The three of us have been charged by the society to help insure that the DGVA exists "To bring improved awareness of the internationally developed science of Behavior analysis both in its experimental and applied forms to the German language and populace. To protect the integrity of behavior analysis in all of its forms and applications, while contributing to its development, enhancement, and growth. To earn acceptance of ABA in Germany, as it is the rest of the world, as its own scientific endeavor useful in solving important social issues including the education and therapy of individuals in need." The DGVA is not supportive or responsible to any individual ABA service provider and is meant to be inclusive of all ABA providers and supporters who follow the mandate mission statement above.

My hope is that all ABA providers, students, teachers, parents and others, dedicated to the appropriate growth and interpretation of ABA in Germany, participate in the DGVA. Membership information is available on the website as is an updated list of ABA related conferences around the world. Please consider going to the DGVA website (www.dgva.org) and supporting the ideal that ABA in Germany should be regulated and certified with the same expectations of the International ABA community.

Beware of AVT Update:

In this space, I previously had a paper entitled Beware of AVT! AVT is a terminology that is being used by three different groups in Germany for different purposes. Because of this, a singular warning against AVT is not appropriate and I have removed it from the Knospe-ABA website. Something called AVT that is said to include ABA services as part of its approach and is run by someone who is appropriately trained and certified by a BCBA is likely to offer good quality behavioral services and should not be feared. However, calling something AVT with the goal of stealing the idea of ABA, claim its effectiveness and make it available as part of other services where the ABA included is not supervised by someone who is a BCBA is not likely to be representative of top quality modern ABA. It is my strong opinion that this is dangerous to the mission statement of the DGVA and ABA in Germany. For more information on appropriate ABA terminology, training and availability, please go to the DGVA website (www.dgva.org).