Course Title: Behavior Consulting with People and Parrots - 288
Credits: 6 (Approx. 84 work-hours)
Instructor: Susan G. Friedman, Ph.D.
Co-instructor: Pamela Clark, CPBC
Course Description
This course is designed to build on foundational courses in principles of behavior, assessment and behavior change programming by adding the additional knowledge and skills needed to effectively consult with people about companion parrot behavior. The course is divided into 4 modules that will help the student develop a deeper understanding of behavior problem prevention and solutions. Each module is outlined below:
Module 1. Living and Learning with Parrots Course (LLP)
Required Texts: Lecture Notes (provided)
This listserv course is designed to teach participants how to apply fundamental behavior analysis principles and procedures for lasting companionship with parrots. The primary goals are to improve caregivers’ ability to understand, predict and change behavior using the most positive, least intrusive methods. Lectures are available for downloading each week and short homework assignments are submitted to the email list for instructor review and student revision. This approach, queries and revision, facilitates individualized mastery of the content. The course runs from 6-8 weeks depending on the needs of the class and is offered three times a year, January, May and June. For more detailed information see http://www.behaviorworks.org.
Students will be given preferential access to the session of their choice, circumventing the typical 18 month wait list. They will also be invited to participate in the behind-the-scenes LLP Teacher Assistants listserv while taking the course to further facilitate their skills working with clients.
Competency Measure: The student will complete weekly lecture homework assignments and a final examination composed of 25 short answer items.
Module 2. Parrot Behavior
Required texts: Manual of Parrot Behavior (MPB), edited by Andrew U. Luescher, Blackwell Publishing.
This module explores various aspects of parrot behavior.
Text Description: “This authoritative reference, the first of its kind, is a necessary addition to the library of any practitioner or behaviorist who sees avian companion animals. Because of their beauty, intelligence, playfulness and ability in mimicry, parrots are the most widely kept companion birds. It is estimated that more than half of the psittacine cases presented to clinicians are the result of behavioral problems - problems inherent to captivity. ... Bringing together a host of international experts on avian behavior, Manual of Parrot Behavior explores the many facets of psittacine behavior, both normal and abnormal. The book not only provides readers with a solid understanding of the basic principles of psittacine behavior but also offers useful techniques of diagnosis and treatment for specific problems.”
To further explore the many facets of parrot behavior and encourage students to pursue more in-depth, individualized study based on the personal interests of each student, students will critically read 6 chapters of MPB. Three of the chapters will be assigned by the instructors and three chapters will be elected by the student.
Competency Measure: The student will write six essays reviewing each of the six chapters. Each essay should be 3-5 pages long and include a summary of the chapter, the strengths and weakness of the chapter, and the relevance of each chapter to parrot behavior consultants. To facilitate the students research skills, at least two additional scientific sources relevant to the topics discussed in each chapter should be included in each essay. The instructors can assist in locating the sources, as needed.
Module 3. Parrot Enrichment Activity
Required Text: A Parrot Activity Book by Kris Porter (pdf, provided)
Description: “Filled with ideas for toys, play areas and projects to keep parrots engaged in productive activities.”
Competency Measure: The student will conduct research on the wild behavior of at least one species of parrot to determine 5-10 activities in which they typically engage in the free range. For each activity, the student will describe at least 3 activities that can be designed for parrots in captive environments that approximates each category of wild behavior.
Module 4. Practicum
Required Texts: Functional Assessment and Intervention Design form (FAIF - provided)
Using the FAIF, the student will conduct at least one case study with a parrot and caregiver pair, with instructor supervision. The student will keep a contact diary and report the outcomes in standard format.
Additional practicum experiences can be arranged such as teaching lessons in applied behavior analysis or leading a problem behavior thread on the Parrot Behavior Analysis Solutions (PBAS) listserv; Teacher Assistant position co-teaching a session of LLP; observation and consultation with avian veterinarians and other parrot professionals such as zoo keepers, and field biologists; and others. To be discussed and arranged with instructors.
Course Texts
Enrollment Package Includes
- Coursework document with assignments and course notes
- Student Handbook
- Access to Classroom, with transcripts from Guest Visits and handouts
- Free membership with IIACAB and to all issues of its journal JACAB
- Access to your Instructor for one-on-one guidance
Schedule
The course begins as soon as your enrollment is complete and you receive your enrollment package. Although we allow 6 months for this course, you are free to complete the course sooner if you can, and we do allow extensions if need be.
Prerequisites
Principles of Learning and Behavior 104
Behavior Modification Techniques 107
Functional Assessment and Behavior Management Planning - 108
or
Permission of the school. Enquire and assure us that you already have a solid grasp of the principles of learning and basic techniques in animal training.
Tuition
$600 Cdn. (Currency Converter) + 4% fee for for online payments. Textbooks not included in tuition. They may be purchased through http://www.dogwise.com, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.abebooks.com or http://www.half.com in most cases. Also check the Student Library. Canadian Residents 5% GST.
Enrollment
Visit the "ENROLL" page and follow the application instructions.