Justin Leaf, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Director of Training and Co-Director of Research
Dr. Justin Leaf is the Director of Training and Co-Director of Research for the Autism Partnership Foundation. Justin received his master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science and his doctorate degree in Behavioral Psychology in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas. Justin worked directly under the mentorship of Dr. James Sherman and Dr. Jan Sheldon.
Justin has over ten years of clinical and research experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. His research interests include looking at ways to improve social skills for children and adolescents with ASD, developing friendships, comparing different teaching methodologies, and evaluating long term outcomes for children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD. Justin has taught graduate level courses in applied behavior analysis and research methodologies. Additionally, Justin has published many articles in peer reviewed journals, published several book chapters, has presented at state, national, and international conferences, and has consulted on research projects nationally and internationally.
You can reach Justin Leaf at jbleaf@apfmail.org
Joe Cihon, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Co-Director of Research
Dr. Cihon received his B. S. in special education from Fontbonne University, M.S. 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 Ph.D. in applied behavior analysis at Endicott College under the mentorship of Dr. Mary Jane Weiss. He is currently the Co-Director of Research at Autism Partnership Foundation, adjunct professor at Endicott College, and the Secretary/Treasurer of the Autism Special Interest Group. Joe has over fifteen years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities in home, school, and community settings. His research interests in behavior analysis are broad and include, but are not limited to, 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. Joe has numerous publications in several behavior analytic journals and has served as a reviewer for several journals including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis in Practice, the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, the Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, the Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, the Journal of Developmental Neurorehabilitation, and the Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
You can reach Joe Cihon at jcihon@apfmail.org
Julia Ferguson, M.S., BCBA
Research and Assessment Coordinator
Julia Ferguson is the Research and Assessment Coordinator for Autism Partnership Foundation. Julia received her bachelor’s degree in applied behavior analysis and her master’s degree in behavior analysis from the University of North Texas under the mentorship of Dr. Shahla Ala’i-Rosales and Dr. Jesus Rosales-Ruiz. Julia has over 7 years of experience working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in home, school, community, and clinical settings. Her research interests include evaluating social skills interventions for individuals diagnosed with ASD, staff training, and evaluating best practice interventions and comparing different teaching methodologies for individuals diagnosed with ASD. Julia has published several articles in peer reviewed journals, authored book chapters, and has presented at national and international conferences.
You can reach Julia Ferguson at jferguson@apfmail.org
Christine Milne, PH.D., BCBA-D
Co-Director of Training and Research Coordinator
Christine received her bachelor’s degree in cognitive sciences at the University of California, Irvine, her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis from St. Cloud State University, and her doctorate in applied behavior analysis at Endicott College under the mentorship of Dr. Justin Leaf. Christine has over 11 years of experience working with individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), leading social skills groups, training staff, consulting for school districts, and supervising client cases. Her research interests include social skills interventions for individuals diagnosed with ASD, research on behaviorally based social skills groups, and staff training. Christine has published several articles in peer reviewed journals, served as a reviewer for peer reviewed journals, and has presented at national and international conferences.
You can reach Christine Milne at cmilne@apfmail.org