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 31: Special Series on Supporting Refugees from Ukraine Episode 1: Coordinating Supports for Refugee Families of Children with Disabilities with Sophie Ganevitch, M.Ed., BCBA
Episode 30: A Conversation with Dr. Rocío Rosales, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 29: The Behaviour of Art with Natasha Bouchillon, M.S., BCBA
Episode 28: Including Autistic People in Every Aspect of Autism Research with Dr. M. Ariel Cascio, Ph.D.
Episode 27: Translational Research, DiGeorge Syndrome and a Little Dash of Metacontingencies with Valdeep Saini, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 26: Smashing the Patriarchy: A Conversation About Sexism and Privilege in Behaviour Analysis with Dr. Natalia Baires, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 25: Having Sex, Seeing a Concert, Going to the Pub, Living with My Friends: Proper Outcomes of Positive Behaviour Support with Dr. Darren Bowring, Ph.D.
Episode 24: Autistic Self-Advocacy with Michau Van Speyk and Philip Lerner
Episode 23: Person-Driven Positive Behaviour Support for Traumatic Brain Injury with Dr. Kate Gould, DPsych
Episode 22: Cultural Competence with Jessica Bethel, M.Ed., BCBA
Episode 21: The Effects of Empathy Training on Racial Bias and Other Research from Dr. Victoria Suarez, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 20: Consulting in Group Homes using ACT with Monica Peters, M.ADS., BCBA
Episode 19: Health, Fitness, Nutrition, and Coaching Through a Behaviour Analytic Lens with Wes Lowery, M.S., BCBA
Episode 18: Values-based Supervision and Mentorship with Hilary McClinton, M.Ed., BCBA
Episode 17: Behavioural Gerontology with Dr. Rebecca Sharp, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 16: Pediatric Behaviour Analysis with Dr. Amy Tanner, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 15: Bringing Behaviour Analysis to a Nation with Radwa Eltanab, M.Sc., BCBA
Episode 14: “Do we really need to sit on Santa’s lap?”: Body Autonomy, Consent, Sex Toys and Lube with Landa Fox, M.A., BCBA, CSHE
Episode 13: Behaviour Analysis and Psychotropic Medication with Dr. Alison Cox, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Episode 12: Safety Skills, Game Theory and Suboptimal Choice with Danielle Watson, M.Sc., BCBA
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