Name
Poster 03 - Breaking Boundaries by Redefining the Scope of Applied Behavior Analysis within IBH to Alleviate the Iatrogenic Toll of Cancer Treatment: Tailoring Behavioral Oncology for Neurodiverse Populations
Date & Time
Friday, October 9, 2026, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Location Name
Grand Foyer (4th Floor)
Description

Historically synonymous with developmental disabilities, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) offers proven, data-driven utility in addressing the stark healthcare disparities and elevated mortality risks facing neurodiverse oncology populations. This presentation outlines how integrated behavioral health practitioners (e.g., Doctors of Behavioral Health [DBH], licensed and credentialed doctoral-level behavior analysts) can deploy established workflows—such as warm hand-offs and brief functional assessments—to disrupt diagnostic overshadowing within behavioral oncology.  By isolating shifting motivating operations and environmental contingencies, these specialists can systematically mitigate the complex iatrogenic toll and elevated response effort associated with cancer treatments.  Attendees will learn how evidence-based behavioral activation and response-effort modifications stabilize routines, preserve patient quality of life, and satisfy the Quintuple Aim (Hand et al., 2020; Mandell et al., 2016; Strosahl et al., 2020).

Tags
Behavioral Medicine Topics such as insomnia or medication adherence, Collaborative Care Model of Integrated Care, Complex Patient Care
Session Type
Poster
Recognize how the physical, psychological, and behavioral side effects of cancer treatments present differently across neurotypical and neurodivergent adult oncology patients.
Describe the basic structure of a credential-agnostic, stepped-care triage workflow using warm handoffs and brief functional assessments.
List key data-driven behavioral strategies used to reduce response effort and preserve quality of life (QoL) during active cancer therapy.

Hand, B. N., Carbone, P. S., & Guion, K. B. (2020). Cancer screening rates among autistic adults: A population-based study. Autism, 24(5), 1135–1143. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361319894825

Li, A., Ge, H., & Huang, R. (2024). Behavioral activation impacts symptoms of depression and anxiety, psychological distress, and quality of life among colorectal cancer patients in medical settings. ResearchGate. https://doi.org/10.3813/56299.ba.oncology

Strosahl, K. D., Robinson, P. J., & Gustafson, T. (2020). Inside PCBH: Driving the quintuple aim through high-velocity behavior analysis and integrated care delivery (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association.