BA502: Comorbidities, Multiple Diagnosis, and Psychopathology
This graduate-level course provides an in-depth examination of comorbid conditions, co-occurring diagnoses, and psychopathology as they pertain to the practice of applied behavior analysis. Designed for advanced students and professionals in the field, the course explores how complex clinical presentations involving multiple diagnoses—including intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, and substance use disorders—impact assessment, treatment planning, and intervention.
Students will critically analyze the intersection of behavior analytic principles with diagnostic frameworks such as the DSM-5 and ICD-11. The course emphasizes ethical and evidence-based approaches to supporting individuals with multifaceted needs across various settings, including educational, clinical, and residential environments. Special attention is given to differential diagnosis, functional assessment in complex cases, trauma-informed care, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.
Upon completion of this course, students will be equipped to recognize the implications of multiple diagnoses on behavioral functioning, select appropriate assessment tools, and design individualized, culturally responsive intervention strategies that maintain fidelity to behavior analytic practice while integrating knowledge from related disciplines.
Curriculum
- 5 Sections
- 20 Lessons
- Lifetime
- Foundations of Comorbidity and Psychopathology in Behavior Analysis7
- 1.1Learning Objectives3 Days
- 1.2Section 1: Definitions and Conceptual Distinctions3 Days
- 1.3Section 2: Epidemiology and Common Comorbid Diagnoses in ABA Practice3 Days
- 1.4Section 3: Medical vs. Behavioral Models of Psychopathology3 Days
- 1.5Section 4: Implications for Assessment and Intervention3 Days
- 1.6Section 5: Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Ethical Considerations3 Days
- 1.7References3 Days
- Functional Behavior Assessment in Complex Clinical Presentations8
- 2.1Learning Objectives
- 2.2Section 1: Purpose and Importance of Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
- 2.3Section 2: Challenges in Conducting FBAs in Complex Cases
- 2.4Section 3: Adapting the FBA Process in Complex Presentations
- 2.5Section 4: The Role of Trauma, Psychiatric Features, and Neurological Conditions
- 2.6Section 5: Case Illustration
- 2.7Section 6: Ethical Considerations in Assessment
- 2.8References
- Differential Diagnosis and the Role of the Behavior Analyst7
- 3.1Section 1: Introduction to Differential Diagnosis in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 3.2Section 2: Comorbidity, Overlapping Symptoms, and Diagnostic Complexity
- 3.3Section 3: Ethical Scope: What Behavior Analysts Can and Cannot Do
- 3.4Section 4: Collaboration with Diagnosing Professionals
- 3.5Section 5: Behavioral Formulations vs. Medical Diagnoses
- 3.6Section 6: Implications for Assessment and Intervention
- 3.7References
- Ethical and Professional Considerations in Dual Diagnosis Treatment4
- Final Project1
Instructor
Dr. Michael Moates, a scholar-practitioner in clinical psychology, education, and policy is the Executive Director of the non-profit Rose Health. He holds a Doctorate of Education from Fielding Graduate University.
