A Progressive Approach to Applied Behavior Analysis: The Autism Partnership Method

Approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States will be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and that number is expected to rise according to the CDC. Interventions based on the science of applied behavior analysis (ABA) are one of the most common interventions for autistic individuals. One of the biggest problems facing the field of ABA-based interventions is ineffectiveness of intervention approaches due to the rigid application of ABA-based interventions. Progressive Approach to Applied Behavior Analysis provides practicing behavior analysts (e.g., BCBAs, BCaBAs, RBTs) and other clinicians with an in-depth introduction to a Progressive Approach to ABA and how it applies to common teaching methods within ABA-based interventions. This includes research and guidelines for implementing a Progressive Approach to ABA, potentially increasing the likelihood of meaningful outcomes for individuals diagnosed with ASD. This will become the guide for practitioners on how to use clinical judgment and in-the-moment assessment across various procedures.

​Justin Leaf, Ph.D., is the Executive Director for Autism Partnership Foundation and the Progressive Behavior Analyst Autism Council, the Associate Director for ABA Doctoral Studies at Endicott College, and the Executive Director for Contemporary Behavior Consultants. Justin received his doctorate degree in Behavioral Psychology from the Department of Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas. His research interests include Progressive ABA, improving behavioral intervention, social behavior, and methodologies to improve the lives of autistic/individuals diagnosed with ASD. Justin has over 140 publications in either peer reviewed journals, books, or book chapters and has presented at both national and international professional conferences and invited events. Justin has served on numerous editorial boards for behavior analytic and autism journals. Justin career has been dedicated to improving the field of Applied Behavior Analysis and lives of Autistic individuals

Dr. Joseph H. Cihon received his BS in special education from Fontbonne University, his MS in behavior analysis at the University of North Texas under the mentorship of Drs. Shahla Ala’i, Jesus Rosales-Ruiz, and Manish Vaidya, and his PhD in applied behavior analysis at Endicott College under the mentorship of Dr. Mary Jane Weiss. He is currently the director of research at the Autism Partnership Foundation, an adjunct professor at Endicott College, the certification coordinator at the Progressive Behavior Analyst Autism Council, and on the council for the Autism Special Interest Group. Joseph has 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults on the autism spectrum and with other developmental disabilities in home, school, and community settings. His research interests in behavior analysis are broad and include evaluating assumptions within practice, examining historical foundations in behavior analysis, training thoroughgoing behavior analysts, examining the effectiveness and training professionals in shaping techniques, increasing favorable interactions among children, their families, and interventionists, developing contingencies to promote generalization and maintenance, and improving mealtimes for selective eaters. He serves on the editorial boards for the International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education and Behavior Analysis in Practice and has published more than 70 peer-reviewed articles, books, and book chapters.

Julia Ferguson, MS, BCBA, CPBA-AP, is the research and assessment coordinator for the Autism Partnership Foundation and the associate director of the Progressive Behavior Analyst Autism Council. She received her bachelor’s degree in applied behavior analysis and her master’s degree in behavior analysis from the University of North Texas. She is currently pursuing her PhD in applied behavior analysis at Endicott College under the advisement of Dr. Mary Jane Weiss. Julia has more than 10 years of experience working with children diagnosed with autism in home, community, and clinical settings. Her research interests include evaluating social skills interventions, evaluating progressive approaches to behavioral interventions, and comparing different teaching methodologies for individuals diagnosed with autism. Julia has published more than 50 peer-reviewed research articles, book chapters, and books and has presented at national and international conferences.

Dr. Ronald Leaf is a licensed psychologist with more than 50 years of experience in the field of autism. He began his career working with Prof. Ivar Lovaas while receiving his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Subsequently, he received his doctorate under the direction of Prof. Lovaas. During his years at UCLA, Leaf served as clinic supervisor, research psychologist, lecturer, and interim director of the Young Autism Project. He was extensively involved in several research investigations, contributed to The Me Book, and is a coauthor of The Me Book Videotapes. Dr. Leaf has consulted with families, schools, and agencies on a national and international basis. He is the cofounder and director of the Autism Partnership, which offers comprehensive services for families with children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With offices in 10 countries, Ronald and his team have developed the Autism Partnership Method, a progressive approach to implementing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment. He is the coauthor of A Work in Progress, Time for School, It Has to Be Said, Crafting Connections, A Work in Progress Companion Series, Clinical Judgment, Autism Partnership Method: Social Skills Groups, and the Clinician’s Toolbox: Rediscovering Compassionate ABA. He has coauthored more than 100 articles in research journals and presented more than 100 times at professional conferences. Dr. Leaf is also the cofounder of the Autism Partnership Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing professional standards and the treatment of individuals with autism through research and training.

John McEachin, a psychologist and BCBA-D, has been providing behavioral treatment to individuals with autism for more than 40 years. He received his graduate training under Prof. Ivar Lovaas at UCLA on the Young Autism Project. During his 11 years at UCLA, Dr. McEachin served in various roles, including clinic supervisor, research and teaching assistant, and acting director. His research has included the long-term follow-up study of young autistic children who received intensive behavioral treatment, which was published in 1993. In 1994, he joined Ron Leaf in forming the Autism Partnership, which they codirect. In 1999, they published A Work in Progress, a widely used behavioral treatment manual and curriculum for children with ASD. Dr. McEachin has lectured throughout the world and coauthored numerous books and research articles. He consults regularly with families, agencies, and school districts nationally and internationally, assisting in the development of treatment programs and providing training to parents, staff, and classroom personnel. Dr. McEachin’s dedication to the advancement of behavioral treatment through research and quality training led to the cofounding of the Autism Partnership Foundation with Dr. Ron Leaf.