SLP & ABA Collaboration: Working Across Disciplines to Support Communication
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Melanie Olson Giles, Jennifer Rumfola and Noor Syed examine how colleagues can align communication targets across speech-language pathology and ABA. The recording connects shared terminology, assessment and data with spoken examples involving worksheet-related behavior and collaboration on speech sounds.
Presenter biographies: Melanie Olson Giles, Jennifer Rumfola, Noor Syed.
The terminology discussion pairs requesting with manding, sound imitation with echoic responding, and labeling with tacting. The panel then compares standardized speech-language testing, developmental guides and behavioral curriculum assessments.
A worksheet example examines the relationship between task demands, escape and a communication response serving the same function. A later passage describes combining speech-sound expertise, shaping and data collection when discussing a closer vocal approximation.
What does this recording cover?
- The panel discusses professional competence, consultation and referrals as boundaries for collaboration.
- Terminology examples connect speech-language targets with verbal-behavior terms.
- The goal discussion covers conditions, observable behavior, mastery criteria, maintenance and generalization.
- The sound-shaping passage describes speech-language input alongside behavioral measurement.
Recording context: The recording date is unknown, and the session offers spoken collaboration examples without a full jointly managed case with outcome data.
Three selected learner comments
The six-item evaluation mean was 4.37/5 across 20 complete responses, from 196 recorded rating responses. This mean includes only complete six-score responses. Source: Special Learning's course evaluation records, snapshot October 11, 2026.
Three selected anonymous responses appear below, with the wording and spelling retained. They describe learners' experiences and requests; they are not a guarantee of results or a claim that these comments represent every learner.
Maybe an example of how the SLP and BA work together on a case.
Course evaluation response, 2023
Update to more current information from 2023
Course evaluation response, 2023
Please review each slide. Slides are out of order online.
Course evaluation response, 2023
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MANDATORY DISCLAIMER: The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (“BACB”) does not sponsor, approve, or endorse Special Learning, the materials, information, or sessions identified herein.
Continuing Education Credits
Meet the Presenters
Melanie is a dually certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She is the Clinic Director of the Speech Therapy Group and The Verbal ABA Clinic at STG. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in Communication Disorders and Masters in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 1999 and 2001, respectively. She also received her Masters of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Autism from Endicott College, where she is currently working towards her PhD in ABA.
Her clinics are private practices focus on the areas of verbal behavior and swallowing/feeding disorders. Melanie’s main research interests include collaboration between speech pathology and behavior analysis, as well as verbal behavior, feeding disorders and organizational behavior management.
Dr. Syed is currently with Lehigh University’s Special Education Department as Professor of Practice and Clinical Director for Lehigh University Autism Services. Previously, Dr. Syed was an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Manhattanville College.
Dr. Syed has over 10 years experience in the field of applied behavior analysis, general and special education, autism, and developmental disabilities as a classroom teacher, Special Education Itinerant Teacher, ABA home based therapist, and behavioral supervisor for center and home based services. Dr. Syed has worked in early intervention, preschool, and school aged settings, as well as with adults.
In 2018, Dr. Syed was selected as a Top Tier International Partnership Discovery Fellow in the Inaugural Fellowship Class of the Global Autism Project, a nonprofit organization that provides training for local international practitioners in the utilization of evidence-based practices when working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Her research interests lie in verbal behavior, ethical practices in behavior analysis, and the implementation of behavior analysis to curriculum and teaching.
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