Handbook of Quality of Life for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder / Autism and Child Psychopathology Series (PDF)

children, their families, and interventionists, developing contingencies to promote generalization and maintenance, and improving mealtimes for selective eaters. Dr. Cihon has published and served as a reviewer for several prominent journals and presented research at national and international conferences.



Julia L. Ferguson, M.S., BCBA, is the Research and Assessment Coordinator for the Autism Partnership Foundation. Ms. Ferguson 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. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in applied behavior analysis at Endicott College under the mentorship of Dr. Mary Jane Weiss. Ms. Ferguson has more than eight years of experience working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in home, school, community, and clinical settings. Her research interests include evaluating social skills interventions for individuals diagnosed with ASD, staff training, evaluating best practice interventions, and comparing different teaching methodologies for individuals diagnosed with ASD. Ms. Ferguson has published many articles in peer-reviewed journals and authored book chapters as well as presented at national and international conferences.



Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D., is the Executive Director of the EPIC School in Paramus, NJ. Dr. Gerhardt has nearly 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 forthe Organization for Autism Research and is on numerous professional advisory boards including the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. He received his doctorate from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey's Graduate School of Education.