Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D., is the Executive Director of the EPIC School in Paramus, NJ.  Dr. Gerhardt has over 40 years of experience utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis in support of adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders in educational, employment, residential and community-based settings. He is the author or co-author on a number of articles and book chapters on the needs of adolescents and adults with ASD and has presented nationally and internationally on this topic.  Dr. Gerhardt serves as Co-Chairman of the Scientific Council for the Organization for Autism Research and is on numerous professional advisory boards including the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies.  He currently serves as adjunct faculty in the Institute for Behavioral Studies at Endicott College.  Dr. Gerhardt received his doctorate from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey’s Graduate School of Education.

Presentation at the ABA International Conference 2022.

Changing the Behavior of Behavior Analysts to Improve Outcomes in Autistic Adults

This presentation will be held in English.

Abstract:

Baer, Wolf and Risley (1968), noted that competently applied behavior analytic interventions should result in strong, socially important, and generalizable outcomes which, in this case, should mean positive adult outcomes in ASD. Unfortunately, despite an emphasis on evidence-based intervention in ASD, adult outcomes remain poor “for almost any outcome you choose.” (Roux, et al, 2015, p. 8).  While there may be several reasons for such continued poor outcomes, the potential of applied behavior analysis to support more positive adult outcomes has yet to be fully explored or realized.  This workshop will provide an overview of a set of recommended behavior changes for behavior analysts working with learners with ASD.  Central to this is the better understanding and application of the process by which meaningful skills can be identified and targeted for acquisition.