The University of Washington Applied Behavior Analysis Visiting Scholar program presents:

Dr. Marija Čolić, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA
Inclusive ABA in Action - Centering Culture, Lived Experience, Stigma-Informed Practice

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3 BACB, Learning CEUs
$40

Where: Zoom & Foege Auditorium - University of Washington
3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105

When: Sat, April 4, 2026 | 9:30AM - 12:30PM
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Stigma has been shown to detrimentally affect the quality of life of neurodivergent individuals and their families, yet it has received relatively limited attention within the field of ABA. This talk will examine the negative effects of stigma on service access and overall well-being and explore how ABA practitioners can mitigate it through stigma-informed, ethically grounded practice. We will also discuss the role of culture in ABA and consider practical strategies for supporting immigrant families of neurodivergent children in ways that are culturally responsive, respectful, and collaborative. Ultimately, this presentation emphasizes that ABA is more than a set of behavioral principles. Because many ABA practitioners serve neurodivergent and disabled individuals and their families, our work must be person-centered—done with and for individuals, not simply applied to them.

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Dr. Marija Čolić, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, earned her master's in psychology and Ph.D. in special education from the University of Belgrade, Serbia. With over 15 years of experience working with autistic individuals, she has been active in the field of behavior analysis since 2014. Currently, Marija teaches at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa on the beautiful island of Oahu.

Marija has contributed to the ABA field through multiple articles on family stigma and the cultural aspects of behavior analysis in leading journals. Since May 2020, she has been hosting free webinars for Serbian parents of children with disabilities and professionals on ABA. Her primary research interests include exploring stigma among families of individuals with disabilities and developing ways to support parents. She is also the principal investigator in exploring play among autistic children using a neurodiversity-affirming approach. Marija is an active member of several non-profit organizations, including the Hawai'i Association for Behavior Analysis and Parents for Public Schools Hawaii.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Marija is passionate about surfing, the ocean, and marine life.