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 51: I Wanna Dance With Somebody!: Using Behaviour Science to Teach Dance with Shreeya Deshmuhk, M.Sc., BCBA
Episode 50: The Experiences of an Autistic RBT with Kaelynn Partlow
Episode 49: Free Appropriate Public Education for All Students: The Role of Behavior Analysts in Public Schools with Dr. Nicole Hollins, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 48: Group Homes for People With Intellectual Disabilities with Christine Bigby, MSW, Ph.D.
Episode 47: Toilet Training: What’s the Point? with Dr. Katie Rinald, Ph.D., BCBA
Episode 46: Using Relational Frame Theory to Tackle Stigma Toward Persons With Disabilities with Dr. Rocco Catrone, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 45: Autistic Advocacy with Tiffany Hammond of Fidgets & Fries
Episode 44: Family Centred Positive Behaviour Support with Dr. Joseph Lucyshyn, Ph.D., BCBA-D (Part 2)
Episode 43: Family Centred Positive Behaviour Support with Dr. Joseph Lucyshyn, Ph.D., BCBA-D (Part 1)
Episode 42: A Deep Dive into the Inequities of Professorship and Authorship in Behaviour Analysis with Dr. Anita Li, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 41: Friendship is the Best Medicine with Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, Psy.D.
Episode 40: Applications of Behaviour Science to Foster Care, Runaways, the Homeless and Bullying with Dr. Kimberly Crosland, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 39: Behaviour Therapy for Tics and Tourette Syndrome with Dr. Douglas Woods, Ph.D.
Episode 38: What We Can Do About Stigma and Racism Using Behaviour Science with Dr. Marija Čolić, Ph.D., BCBA
Episode 37: The Realities of Autism in First Nations Communities in Canada with Grant Bruno, Ph.D. (Candidate)
Episode 36: Saving Cats and Dogs from Euthanasia Using Behaviour Analysis with Dr. Jennifer Fritz, Ph.D., BCBA-D, and Dr. Steven Payne, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 35: Staff Training and Supervision with Dr. Dennis Reid, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 34: Neurodiversity, ADHD, and ODD with Amelia Bowler, M.ADS., BCBA
Episode 33: Addressing Substance Use Disorders, Poverty, and AIDS Prevention Using Behavioural Science with Dr. Shrinidhi Subramaniam, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 32: Special Series on Supporting Refugees from Ukraine Episode 2: Tips on Providing Direct Support to Ukrainian Refugee Families with Autistic Children with Bohdanna Popowycz, M.Ed., BCBA
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