In Episode 148, Ben chats with Deb Fernando, who is quite possibly the only Indigenous behaviour analyst in all of Australia. Deb is a proud Bigambul, Gomeroi woman with strong connections to far northwest NSW within the Gamilaraay language nation. She has 30 years’ experience working with First Nations communities throughout Australia, including urban, rural, and remote locations.
Deb started her career as a chef, then worked in government organisation troubleshooting major problems in servicing First Nations people in remote communities.
She then went on to work with the University of South Australia where her team of researchers received the Vice Chancellors award for excellence in engaging in communities. Moving from SA back to New South Wales she began working with the SAX institute as the Study manager to progress their First Nations child health research project in urban and rural children's health. Within a short time, they established the project in five major Aboriginal Medical services, which identified the gaps in services to First Nations children within these areas. One highlight was establishing ongoing specialized services such as hearing and speech therapy for First Nations families.
At the age of 50 Deb embarked on my academic career completing my BA and Honors in psychological science at Southern Cross University, continuing her studies in 2020 she completed a Master's in Education in Applied Behavioural Analysis at Monash University. Whilst studying she started to work as a positive behavioural therapist practitioner with The Center for Positive Behavioural support where she held a position as a Behavioural support practitioner.
Over the years Deb has been looking and searching for the most appropriate services for First Nations peoples to assist in closing the gap between First Nations people and Non-First Nations peoples. Deb has a passion for applied behaviour analysis and therapies that take a holistic approach to addressing the needs of First Nations families.
Due to the impacts of cultural loading, she received over her working career she ended her journey of working for others and started her own business “FeatherWay Road”. Here Deb collaborates with families to establish an environment where everyone feels included, supported, and empowered. Working with neurodiverse children, she embraces their unique strengths, their culture, and challenges to cultivate an inclusive and supportive learning environment. ABA has been one of the many highlights of her academic career. I have seen and experienced the solid sustainable results this has on families and individuals.
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 2.0 Learning
IBAO: 2.0 Cultural
QABA: 2.0 DEI
Contact:
debfern54@hotmail.com
Behaviour Speak Podcast Episodes Referenced
Grant Bruno
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-37-the-realities-of-autism-in-first-nations-communities-in-canada-with-grant-bruno-phd-candidate/
Louis Busch
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-11-the-treatment-of-life-threatening-pica-with-louis-busch-bst-abs-hc-med-bcba/
Jordyn Burleson
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-130-the-tonowanda-seneca-behavior-technician-with-jordyn-burleson-rbt/
Valerie Clack
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-117-the-lakota-bcba-with-valerie-clack-ma-bcbalba/
Episode 81: The Burnout Epidemic: Understanding the Root Causes in Behavior Analysis with Cammie Williams, M.Sc., BCBA, LBA
Episode 80: The International Behavior Analyst Organization: An Interview with IBAO Co-Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Michael Mueller, BCBA-D, IBA
Episode 79: Black Men in Behavior Analysis with Jeron Trotman, M.Sc.
Episode 78: The Lived Experiences of Syrian Refugee Parents of Autistic Children with Abdullah Bernier
Episode 77: Developing Practitioner Skills in Culture and Compassion with Nissa Intarachote Van Etten, Ph.D., BCBA, LBA
Episode 76: The Next Generation of Black Leaders in Behavior Analysis: Empowering Success with Adrienne Bradley, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Episode 75: Cultivating Black Excellence and Intelligence in School Psychology with Dr. Celeste Malone
Episode 73: Behavior Analysis in Practice: Latin American Women in Behavior Analysis: A Call For Papers
Episode 74: Analistas De La Conducta Latinoamericanas: Solictud de Envio
Episode 72: Breaking the Mold: Dr. Kristen Bottema-Beutel’s Quest for High-Quality and Ethical ABA Research
Episode 71: The Magic of the ACT Matrix with Mary Penrice-Edmondson, M.S., BCBA, Tina Long, M.Ed., BCBA, and Monica Peters, M.ADS, BCBA
Episode 70: Systemic Change in Education with Casey Dupart, M.A., M.S., Psy.D, BCBA, LBA, CCPT
Episode 68: Racism, Feminism, and Behaviour Analysis in Brazil with Dr. Táhcita Medrado Mizael, Ph.D.
Episode 69: Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in Schools with Drs. Mya Hernandez, Amoy Hugh-Pennie, Denise Ross-Page, and Margo Uwayo
Episode 67: Humility, Compassion, and Reflection with Dr. Nasiah Cirincione-Ulezi, Ed.D., BCBA, LBA, and Dr. Jonathan Tarbox, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 66: Analyzing The Public Behaviour of Donald Trump: Novel ABA Research with Dr. Robin Arnall, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 65: AAC Advocacy with Tiffany Joseph of Nigh Functioning Autism
Episode 64: Culture-Based Education with Naomi K. Tachera, M.A., BCBA, LBA
Episode 63: Equity and Systems Change With Dr. Noor Syed, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 62: Addressing Racial Bias in Education with May Beaubrun, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
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