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Dr. Patrick C. Friman, Ph.D., ABPP

Keynote Speaker | ABA CON Caribbean Edition 2027

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Presentation 1

Behavior Analytic Methods for Dealing Effectively with People Who Are Being Difficult

Overview:

Some people can be, well, difficult! And while behavior analysts are trained to address challenging behavior in their clients, navigating difficult interactions with colleagues, coworkers, family members, and others can be an entirely different story.

In this engaging presentation, Dr. Patrick Friman explores how behavior-analytic principles can help us better understand and respond to difficult people in both our professional and personal lives. Through a fresh perspective on human behavior, attendees will discover practical ways to approach challenging interactions with greater understanding, confidence, and effectiveness.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify three classes of universal social reinforcers.
2. Identify major problems resulting from conventional views of difficult behavior.
3. Identify major advantages resulting from the circumstantial view of difficult behavior.

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Presentation 2

My Voice Will Go With You: Reflections on Mentorship

Overview:

People may forget what they hear in a lecture, but they rarely forget a mentor who helped them grow.

In this thought-provoking presentation, Dr. Patrick Friman explores the powerful distinction between teaching and mentoring. While teaching often focuses on retaining information, meaningful mentorship goes further, creating lasting personal and professional growth.

Drawing on his experiences as a mentor, Dr. Friman examines why true growth requires more than answering questions correctly. It requires observable performance, meaningful change, and the ability to apply what has been learned. Attendees will gain insight into the essential qualities of effective mentorship and its lasting influence on those we guide.

Learning Objectives:

1. Make a credible distinction between teaching and training.
2. Describe why training can be substantially more stressful than teaching.
3. List at least three fundamentals central to effective mentoring.

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About Dr. Friman

Dr. Patrick C. Friman received his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. He is the current Emeritus Director of Outpatient Behavioral Health at Boys Town and a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska School of Medicine.

He was formerly on the faculties of Johns Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania, and Creighton University Schools of Medicine. He was also formerly a Professor and the Director of the Clinical Psychology Program at University of Nevada.

He is a Fellow of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, in three divisions of the American Psychological Association, and of the American Board of Behavioral Psychology. He is the former Editor of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and former President of the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

He has published more than 200 scientific articles and chapters and three books. The majority of his scientific and clinical work is in Behavioral Pediatrics and Behavioral Medicine.

Dr. Friman's work in behavioral pediatrics has concentrated on the gap between primary medical care for children on one side, and referral-based clinical child psychological and psychiatric care, on the other. A secondary focus is on adolescent behavior and development.

He also specializes in consultation regarding workplace issues such as motivation, dealing with difficult people, change, happiness and pathways to success.

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Elissa Johnson, BCBA

Featured Speaker & Lead Speaker Coordinator | ABA CON Caribbean Edition 2027

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Presentation

Think Like a Scientist, Build Like a Teacher: Fixing the Most Common Gaps in School Behavior Supports

Overview:

Behavior support plans are among the most widely used tools in schools, but why do so many fall short of creating meaningful, lasting change? Too often, these plans focus on preventing or responding to challenging behavior without providing enough structure for teaching the new skills students need to succeed.

Drawing on years of school consultation, Elissa Johnson explores the common gaps in school-based behavior supports and how BCBAs can design more effective, practical, and teachable solutions. Participants will learn to take a "zoom out" approach to analyzing challenges, collaborating with teams, and designing supports that work within the realities of everyday classrooms.

Through creative examples, including whole-class systems, flexible Tier 2 plans, and gamified approaches, attendees will discover practical strategies for improving behavior supports across school settings. They'll leave with fresh ideas for building systems that promote meaningful student growth and sustainable implementation.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify common gaps and imbalances within school-based behavior supports and Behavior Support Plans.
2. Describe factors that limit the effectiveness and implementation of supports in real classroom settings.
3. Apply a "zoom out" analytical process to strengthen team collaboration and problem-solving.
4. Evaluate creative examples of behavior support design across tiers and contexts.
5. Develop practical strategies for improving the teachability and usability of school-based behavior supports.

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About Elissa

Elissa Johnson is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with more than 15 years of experience in applied behavior analysis, with deep expertise in school consultation for severe problem behavior and the Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Behavior (MTSS-B) framework. Her work focuses on helping schools apply ABA principles across Tier 1 and Tier 2 systems while creating practical solutions for complex educational environments.

Before founding Elissa Johnson Consulting, she spent more than 14 years with an ABA agency, helping grow its school-based services and consultation division. She served in leadership roles including Director of School-Based Services and Director of Behavioral Health, supporting clinicians, educators, administrators, and school leadership teams.

Through her consulting practice, Elissa partners with school leaders and BCBAs to strengthen behavior support systems, improve school climate and culture, and navigate complex clinical, ethical, and organizational challenges. She also provides continuing education and professional development resources, including her well-regarded training in trauma-informed functional behavior assessment.

Elissa is an adjunct faculty member at the University of New Hampshire and a frequent presenter at national conferences. Passionate about making behavior science practical and accessible, she is committed to empowering educators and behavior analysts to create meaningful, sustainable change for students and school communities.

Elissa also serves as Lead Speaker Coordinator for ABA CON Caribbean Edition 2027, supporting faculty coordination and the development of a meaningful continuing education experience for attendees.

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Lindsay Lundquist, BCBA, CCTS-I

Featured Speaker | ABA CON Caribbean Edition 2027

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Presentation

Protecting the Nervous System: A Behavior-Analytic Approach to a Sustainable, Regulated Clinical Practice

Overview:

Nervous system regulation has become a popular topic in professional wellness, but what does it actually mean from a behavior-analytic perspective?

In this session, Lindsay Lundquist explores how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and behavior-analytic principles can help clinicians recognize patterns of chronic stress, avoidance, and burnout. Participants will examine how coping strategies such as overworking, disengagement, and constant availability may provide short-term relief while contributing to long-term challenges.

Through a practical, values-based approach, Lindsay will explore psychological flexibility, effective boundary-setting, and intentional rest as tools for building a more sustainable clinical practice.

Attendees will leave with strategies to distinguish temporary relief from meaningful regulation and make choices that support their professional well-being and long-term effectiveness.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will differentiate between avoidance-based and values-based regulation strategies within an ACT and behavior-analytic framework.
2. Participants will analyze the function of chronic dysregulation as an avoidance-maintained pattern reinforced by short-term relief in clinical practice.
3. Participants will identify 3 values-based alternatives they can implement in place of avoidance-based actions to improve regulation within their clinical practice.

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About Lindsay

Lindsay Lundquist, BCBA, CCTS-I, is the founder of Blossom Behavioral Solutions, a coaching and consultation practice established in 2022. Her work integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), nervous system regulation, and trauma-informed care to help clinicians and families build sustainable, values-aligned lives.

Lindsay is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist who works across the age range, from early childhood through adulthood, and is especially passionate about helping fellow behavior analysts translate behavior science into practical strategies for regulation, boundary-setting, and long-term professional wellness.