-
-
-
- Connections Behavior Planning and Intervention welcomes Dr. Maria Gilmour
, BCBA-D, for an online webinar on strategies for interacting with Immigration Enforcement.
-
-
Abstract:
This presentation addresses a critical gap in applied behavior analysis: preparing families with
vulnerable members – including individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, limited English
proficiency, and trauma histories – for high-stress immigration enforcement encounters. When
federal agents arrive at homes or workplaces, communication breakdowns frequently escalate
situations, particularly when individuals exhibit behaviors that may be misinterpreted as
noncompliance or aggression. Drawing from principles of applied behavior analysis, this session
provides families and support professionals with evidence-based communication protocols,
visual support systems, and de-escalation strategies designed to increase safety during
encounters where control is limited. Attendees will learn to create individualized communication
plans that address specific behavioral challenges, implement visual tools that facilitate
understanding across language barriers, and teach replacement behaviors that reduce risk. This
proactive, skills-based approach acknowledges the reality that while we cannot prevent
enforcement actions, we can systematically prepare vulnerable populations to navigate these
encounters with maximum safety and minimal trauma. Applications extend to schools, group
homes, advocacy organizations, and clinical settings serving at-risk populations.
About the Presenter:
Dr. Maria Gilmour is the Chief Executive Officer of Wynne Solutions, a specialized behavioral health company serving Oregon and Washington. With over 25 years of experience in crisis stabilization and intensive behavioral support, she has developed expertise in supporting individuals with autism and complex behavioral needs during high-stress situations.
Dr. Gilmour has provided autism awareness and de-escalation training to law enforcement departments across multiple states. Her practical, real-world approach helps officers recognize communication differences, understand behavioral responses unique to autism, and implement strategies that lead to safer, more effective interactions during emergencies and enforcement situations.
In her clinical practice, Dr. Gilmour specializes in crisis intervention for high-acuity cases. Her mission is to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the autism community, creating safer outcomes for everyone involved through education, practical tools, and collaborative problem-solving.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will develop individualized communication protocols for families with vulnerable members by conducting functional assessments of potential high-stress scenarios and creating visual support systems (communication boards, behavior cards, scripted responses) that facilitate understanding and compliance while accounting for disability-related communication barriers.
- Participants will implement evidence-based preparation procedures with families through behavioral rehearsal, video modeling, and social narratives that reduce anxiety, increase predictable responding, establish replacement behaviors for those that may be misinterpreted, and promote discrimination between safe and unsafe disclosure of information during high-stress encounters with authority figures.
- Participants will evaluate current research and outcome data on trauma-informed behavioral interventions for vulnerable populations during enforcement encounters, identifying gaps in the literature and opportunities for behavior analysts to contribute systematic data collection, protocol development, and dissemination of evidence-based practices that enhance community safety.
CEU’s included, and Cost to Attend:
- 2 Learning BACB CEU’s
$39.99 (CEU’s included in price)- $36.00 – Early Registration Discount
For questions, challenges with registration, or any other needed information, please contact Dusty, Director of Continuing Education and ACE Coordinator for CBPI, LLC, at continuingeducation@connections-behavior.com.
Connections Behavior Planning & Intervention, LLC, is a BACB-Approved ACE Provider (Provider # OP-17-2781). The BACB does not directly sponsor or endorse this event, its speakers, or its content.
