The Autism Encyclopedia

John T. Neisworth, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus in Special Education at The Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Neisworth was Program Co-planner for the Pennsylvania Autism Conference & Institute, Academic Director of Penn State's Applied Behavior Analysis program, Consulting Co-director of the Penn State Autism Distance Program, Director of the Pennsylvania Early Intervention Institute, and Chair for Recommended Practices in Assessment for the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children. Dr. Neisworth has authored or coauthored numerous research articles and texts in special education, early intervention, and behavior analysis, including the HICOMP Preschool Curriculum (Bell & Howell Company, 1986), Modifying Retarded Behavior (Houghton Mifflin, 1973), and Assessment for Early Intervention: Best Practices for Professionals (with S.J. Bagnato; Guilford Press, 1991). He is Cofounding Editor of Topics in Early Childhood Special Education and an editorial board member of that journal as well as the Journal of Early Intervention, Child and Family Behavior Therapy, and Infants & Young Children. He received the 1995 Best Research Article Award from the American Psychological Association (Division 16) for his 2002 article (with Stephen Bagnato) on the misuse of intelligence testing in early childhood. Dr. Neisworth received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pennsylvania Association for Applied Behavior Analysis. He provides consultation and workshops for state and private early intervention agencies and is President of Behavior Technics Associates, a group devoted to application of behavioral strategies to educational and therapeutic efforts. Pamela S. Wolfe is Associate Professor of Special Education at The Pennsylvania State University (PSU). She is Academic Director of the PSU Professional Certificate in Autism and a lead instructor in the PSU Applied Behavior Analysis Program. Dr. Wolfe has written numerous articles in international and national journals as well as book chapters on transition, advocacy, and functional academics. She serves on several editorial boards, including those for Exceptionality, Journal for Vocational Special Needs Education, and Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities. Dr. Wolfe has directed a number of federally funded research and training grants. She is co-director of the PSU Autism Specialist Program, which trains students in autism, applied behavior analysis (ABA), and communication disorders.