Master of Applied Disabilities Study

Applied Behaviour Analysis

I am Evguenia Ignatova and this is my Brock Grad Story. I recently successfully defended my MA thesis in the Department of Applied Disability Studies. I chose to do this program in the Applied Behaviour Analysis stream, which prepares you to become a clinician and/or a researcher who uses the science of behaviour to ignite social change. My MA thesis consisted of an online, province-wide survey study designed to determine the impact of Ontario Quality Assurance Measures (QAM), introduced in 2009 as part of a broader Act on services for adults with developmental disabilities. Given the length of QAM and the potential issues associated with inappropriate interventions for challenging behaviour among this vulnerable adult population, the survey questions primarily related to QAM for Behavioural Interventions, a specific section of QAM. Four distinct developmental service staff groups responded to questions about their knowledge, experiences, and opinion pertaining to QAM in general and QAM for Behavioural Interventions. Findings about the positives and shortcomings of QAM will help promote related changes for QAM and developmental services.

Throughout my graduate path, I had several opportunities to present this research, including the Southern Network of Specialized Care (SNSC) Research Day, the Three Minute Thesis (3MT), the Ontario Association for Developmental Disabilities (OADD) Research Day, and at our department proseminar. Throughout the program, I held several teaching assistant positions and received a solid foundation of ethics, research methods, and clinical practice. I am now a full-time instructor therapist, applying the principles of ABA and looking to become a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) in the near future. I believe that sharing outside of the classroom is as valuable as formal instruction and Brock’s close-knit, supportive community allowed me to do just that. The multiple awards I have received throughout my Brock graduate journey, including the Bluma Appel Social Science Entrance Scholarship and the Dual Diagnosis Scholarship, gave me the financial freedom to fully concentrate on my studies.