Disability Justice & DisCrit Theory In Therapeutic Spaces | Ethics & DEI CEU Credits: 2

Mari-Luci Cerda is an Indigenous woman, Autist, wife, mom of 3, and board-certified, trauma informed behavior analyst who consults with neurotypical professionals to support the development of neurodivergent affirming and compassionate practices. A former special education teacher of 13 years, Mari moved into this work when she realized that her own Autistic experience could help others develop better supports and acceptance for the Autistic community. She is currently completing her doctoral dissertation on Examining the Effects of a BST Training Package for Public Educators Administering the VB-MAPP Assessment at Texas Tech University and hopes to defend by this fall. Mari is also the co-founder of The LEAP (Lighthouse for Equitable Access and Practices) Institute, a non-profit whose mission is to increase equitable access for marginalized groups entering the field of applied behavior analysis through quality supervision support and testing scholarships. LEAP is also working to shift the culture around the supervision relationship in the field of ABA. When she is not working on one of many projects, Mari enjoys retreating into her home with her family and spending time in her gardens to recharge.

1. Learn and understand what DISCRIT is.
2. Understand how the impact of our own work in the field of behavior science
3. Steps to engage in disability justice by deconstructing therapeutic norms that perpetuate and uphold racist/ableist ideologies.