Justin Leaf, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Executive Director
Dr. Justin Leaf is the Executive Director 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
Director of Research
Dr. Joseph H. Cihon received his B. S. in special education from Fontbonne University, M.S. in behavior analysis at the University of North Texas, and his Ph.D. in applied behavior analysis at Endicott College. He is currently the Director of Research at Autism Partnership Foundation, Certification Coordinator at the Progressive Behavior Analyst Autism Council, and on the council for the Autism Special Interest Group. Joe 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. Joe serves on the editorial boards for the International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education and Behavior Analysis in Practice and has published over 90 peer-reviewed articles, books, and book chapters.
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.