Robert K. Ross

Dr. Robert Ross is the President of Ross Consultation a private practice focused on increasing access to high quality ABA services across the globe.  Dr. Ross is also the Vice President of Clinical Development and Integration at Biostream Technologies.  Biostream^TM, is a leading-edge technology company that uses video gaming software and eye tracking  hardware to teach a range of social skills and social behavior.  He is also a clinical advisor to Talkido^TM,  an augmentative communication support for individuals with limited verbal communication skills and thus struggling to acquired vocal speech. For over 35 years, Dr. Ross has both provided direct services to children and families impacted by ASD, and  served as the Chief Clinical Officer at Beacon ABA Services of Massachusetts and Connecticut where he oversaw all clinical, supervisory and staff training.  He received his Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern University and his Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Ross directed all research activity at Beacon as well as developed and taught in the Masters and Ph.D programs at Cambridge College for 15 years. He currently provides direct and consultation services to families, schools and educational programs in the U.S,  Europe and the Middle East.

He is a founding member and current Past President of the Massachusetts Association for Applied Behavior Analysis (MABA). Dr. Ross is also a past President of the Autism Special Interest Group (SIG) of ABAl, the current ABAI Special Interest Group Chair, former Co-Chair of the Practice Track of the ABAl Annual Conference and has served three terms on the ABAl Practice Board. He has published numerous articles related to autism treatment and  presented at conferences throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Dr. Ross is serves as a Board member of the Progressive ABA Council.

Presentation at the ABA International Conference 2025

A Behavior Analytic Approach to teaching Creativity and Playskills in Young Children with ASD

Abstract:

Teaching creativity and imaginative play and is an area that is often not focused on by behavior analysts.  One reason for this may be that it is a conceptually difficult topic for a science who’s applications are often considered rigid or robotic.  The focus of the talk will be on defining creativity and play from a behavior analytic framework, and then using that framework to highlight instructional practices consistent with our science and established research.  The definitions and practices covered in this talk will emphasize establishing basic play skills, shaping and fading with an emphasis on planning for generalization across context and materials. Various strategies to teach creative play, through the use of Object-Action- Language routines (OAL) and visual supports will be discussed. Some of these strategies will include: Matrix training, Video modeling, Visual checklists and Picture Activity Schedules.

Three learning objectives.

1. Participants will be able to describe and understand creativity from a behavior analytic perspective
2. Participants will be able to give at least three examples of Object-Action-Language Routine to establish basic play behavior.
3. Participants will be able to describe three behavior analytic instructional practices that can be used to establish play skills in children with ASD and how to use each to ensure generalization of established skills.