Invited Presentation
Janet Enriquez, Ph.D, BCBA-D, LBA
Janet Sanchez Enriquez, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, is a bilingual behavior analyst, educator, and
researcher dedicated to advancing equitable and culturally responsive applications of behavior
analysis. She earned her PhD from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte as an OSEP
scholar under the mentorship of Dr. Rob Pennington. Her work focuses on expanding access to
behavior analytic services among vulnerable and diverse populations, with an emphasis on
developing culturally and linguistically appropriate verbal behavior assessments and
interventions.
Dr. Sanchez Enriquez is a founding member and current Secretary of the Mexican Organization
of Practitioners of Applied Behavior Analysis (OMPAC). She serves as Vice President of the
World Behavior Analysis Day Organization, Board Member and Newsletter Editor for the Verbal
Behavior Special Interest Group, and is a member of the Executive Council for the Texas
Association for Behavior Analysis. She also co-hosts the World Behavior Analysis Day Podcast, a
global platform for highlighting impactful voices in the field. In addition to her leadership roles,
she teaches graduate ABA courses and mentors students in culturally responsive practice. Her
work spans clinical, educational, and telehealth settings and was awarded a SABA Public
Awareness Grant to develop bilingual ABA resources for Latin American communities.
Partners in Practice: Parent-Mediated Referent-Based Instruction for Meaningful Language Learning
Referent-Based Instruction (RBI) is a structured yet naturalistic approach to teaching language. It focuses on developing balanced verbal repertoires by systematically teaching across Skinner’s elementary verbal operants: echoics, tacts, mands, and intraverbals, within rich, contextual learning opportunities.
This presentation introduces the conceptual foundation and core components of RBI, showing how it promotes generative and flexible language development. Drawing from research in clinics, public schools, and homes, the session will highlight practical strategies, outcome data, and lessons learned. A special focus will be placed on Parent-Mediated RBI, a coaching model that equips caregivers to support meaningful communication through functional language analysis and natural environment training.
Participants appreciate how RBI provides a scalable, culturally responsive approach to supporting families and professionals in fostering authentic and effective communication for children with autism and related disorders.