Designing an App with ABA: An Interview with Lukasz Prochwicz of DrOmnibus

Todd A. Ward, PhD, BCBA-D

bSci21Media, LLC

I recently sat down with Lukasz Prochwicz, a self-descibed “techie” with seven years experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) who is working in consultation with the Polish tech firm DrOmnibus.  The company, one of a handful currently working as part of Google’s Launchpad Accelerator program, is the creator of the ABA DrOmnibus App – designed to support ABA programs at home and streamline the work flow of ABA therapists who spend most days on the road.  

For the past six months, Lukasz has worked with the design team to help infuse ABA methodologies into the app.  His biggest challenge is to design a user experience that is motivating for the learner while minimizing distractions that could interfere with skill acquisition.  For example, visual and auditory stimulation is mostly reserved for embedded reinforcement opportunities within the app.  Fun games are also interspersed among the learning activities to help keep the experience fresh and reduce habituation.  The overall development process is further supplemented with continuous feedback from practicing BCBAs in the field who work primarily with kids on the autism spectrum and their families.

Lukasz believes the app is particularly useful for children and families across three different segments: those who do not live in close proximity to treatment centers, those who are out of range of most travelling behavior analysts, and those who simply cannot afford ABA services.  The app is also designed to supplement existing ABA programs in the absence of a therapist, and in conjunction with parents.

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Lukasz and team are also developing the app from another angle – that of the travelling BCBA.  Behavior analysts whose vehicle has become a second office can expect iterations in the near future that help streamline logistics around the transport of program materials.  Planned features include an extensive database of graphics, learning activities, and real-time remote interactions between the BCBA and families.

If you are interested in learning more about DrOmnibus, or receiving a free 14-day trial of their app, you can visit the company site here. Lastly, be sure to subscribe to bSci21 via email to receive the latest articles directly to your inbox!

Todd A. Ward, PhD, BCBA-D is the President and Founder of bSci21Media, LLC, which owns the top behavior analytic media outlet in the world, bSci21.org.  bSci21Media aims to disseminate behavior analysis to the world and to support ABA companies around the globe through the Behavioral Science in the 21st Century blog and its subsidiaries, bSciEntrepreneurial, bSciWebDesign, bSciWriting, bSciStudios and the ABA Outside the Box CEU series.  Dr. Ward received his PhD in behavior analysis from the University of Nevada, Reno under Dr. Ramona Houmanfar.  He has served as a Guest Associate Editor of the Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, and as an Editorial Board member of Behavior and Social Issues.  Dr. Ward has also provided ABA services to children and adults with various developmental disabilities in day centers, in-home, residential, and school settings, and previously served as Faculty Director of Behavior Analysis Online at the University of North Texas.  Dr. Ward is passionate about disseminating behavior analysis to the world and growing the field through entrepreneurship. Todd can be reached at [email protected]

*Paid content by DrOmnibus.