Bridget A. Taylor

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Bridget A. Taylor is an American psychologist and behavior analyst, specializing in autism. She is the co-founder and CEO of Alpine Learning Group, a private school for children and adults with autism. Taylor is recognized for her research on children with autism in an applied practice setting, which has led to the development of research programs in other applied settings. [1]

Contents

Career

Taylor earned a master’s in early childhood special education and teaching from Teachers College at Columbia University and a PsyD from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology from Rutgers University. [2]

Taylor gained recognition in 1994 from her work teaching skills to autistic children, described in Catherine Maurice's book, Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family's Triumph Over Autism. [3] In her book, Maurice highlights how Taylor taught her autistic daughter Anne Marie new skills and prosocial behaviors. Maurice’s book significantly influenced the autism and applied behavior analysis (ABA) movement. [4]

In 1998, Taylor co-founded Alpine Learning Group. She has spent her entire career in clinical practice and leadership, while also conducting applied research on observational learning, [5] social skills, [6] and other areas. Her research on compassionate care and the importance of having empathy as an ABA practitioner spurred additional research [7] [8] and discussion within the ABA community. [9]

Taylor has served as an associate editor at Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, and on the editorial boards of Behavior Analysis in Practice, and Behavioral Interventions. She is the former president of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and current senior clinical advisor for Rethink. Taylor has influenced the development of autism centers in Italy, India, Canada, France, Australia, and Kosovo. [10]

Awards and honors

Selected works

Related Research Articles

Behaviorism is a systematic approach to understand the behavior of humans and other animals. It assumes that behavior is either a reflex evoked by the pairing of certain antecedent stimuli in the environment, or a consequence of that individual's history, including especially reinforcement and punishment contingencies, together with the individual's current motivational state and controlling stimuli. Although behaviorists generally accept the important role of heredity in determining behavior, they focus primarily on environmental events. The cognitive revolution of the late 20th century largely replaced behaviorism as an explanatory theory with cognitive psychology, which unlike behaviorism examines internal mental states.

<i>Verbal Behavior</i> Psychology book

Verbal Behavior is a 1957 book by psychologist B. F. Skinner, in which he describes what he calls verbal behavior, or what was traditionally called linguistics. Skinner's work describes the controlling elements of verbal behavior with terminology invented for the analysis - echoics, mands, tacts, autoclitics and others - as well as carefully defined uses of ordinary terms such as audience.

Ole Ivar Løvaas was a Norwegian-American clinical psychologist and professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is most well known for his research on what is now called applied behavior analysis (ABA) to teach autistic children through prompts, modeling, and positive reinforcement. The therapy is also noted for its use of aversives (punishment) to reduce undesired behavior.

Discrete trial training (DTT) is a technique used by practitioners of applied behavior analysis (ABA) that was developed by Ivar Lovaas at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). DTT uses mass instruction and reinforcers that create clear contingencies to shape new skills. Often employed as an early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) for up to 25–40 hours per week for children with autism, the technique relies on the use of prompts, modeling, and positive reinforcement strategies to facilitate the child's learning. It previously used aversives to punish unwanted behaviors. DTT has also been referred to as the "Lovaas/UCLA model", "rapid motor imitation antecedent", "listener responding", errorless learning", and "mass trials".

Applied behavior analysis (ABA), also called behavioral engineering, is a psychological intervention that applies approaches based upon the principles of respondent and operant conditioning to change behavior of social significance. It is the applied form of behavior analysis; the other two forms are radical behaviorism and the experimental analysis of behavior.

High-functioning autism (HFA) was historically an autism classification where a person exhibits no intellectual disability, but may experience difficulty in communication, emotion recognition, expression, and social interaction.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting behavior analysis. The organization has over 9,000 members. The group organizes conferences and publishes journals on the topic of applied behavior analysis (ABA). ABAI has issued detailed, specific position papers intended to guide practitioners of ABA. The ABAI publishes six scholarly journals including The Psychological Record and their primary organ, Perspectives on Behavior Science, formerly The Behavior Analyst. They also publish an informational journal, Education and Treatment of Children, describing practical treatment of children with behavioral problems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autism therapies</span> Therapy aimed at autistic people

Autism therapies include a wide variety of therapies that help people with autism, or their families. Such methods of therapy seek to aid autistic people in dealing with difficulties and increase their functional independence.

Pivotal response treatment (PRT), also referred to as pivotal response training, is a naturalistic form of applied behavior analysis used as an early intervention for children with autism that was pioneered by Robert Koegel and Lynn Kern Koegel. PRT advocates contend that behavior hinges on "pivotal" behavioral skills—motivation and the ability to respond to multiple cues—and that development of these skills will result in collateral behavioral improvements. In 2005, Richard Simpson of the University of Kansas identified pivotal response treatment as one of the four scientifically based treatments for autism.

The assessment of basic language and learning skills is an educational tool used frequently with applied behavior analysis (ABA) to measure the basic linguistic and functional skills of an individual with developmental delays or disabilities.

The professional practice of behavior analysis is a domain of behavior analysis, the others being radical behaviorism, experimental analysis of behavior and applied behavior analysis. The practice of behavior analysis is the delivery of interventions to consumers that are guided by the principles of radical behaviorism and the research of both experimental and applied behavior analysis. Professional practice seeks to change specific behavior through the implementation of these principles. In many states, practicing behavior analysts hold a license, certificate, or registration. In other states, there are no laws governing their practice and, as such, the practice may be prohibited as falling under the practice definition of other mental health professionals. This is rapidly changing as behavior analysts are becoming more and more common.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Video modeling</span> Teaching method

Video modeling (VM) is a mode of teaching that uses video recording and display equipment to provide a visual model of the targeted behaviors or skill. In video self-modeling (VSM), individuals observe themselves performing a behavior successfully on video, and then imitate the targeted behavior. Video modeling has been used to teach many skills, including social skills, communication, and athletic performance; it has shown promise as an intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Important practical and theoretical questions remain largely unanswered about video modeling and other forms of video-based intervention. Video modeling has theoretical roots in the social learning theory work of Bandura (1969), which called attention to the ability to learn through observation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Classic autism</span> Former term in neurodevelopmental disorders

Classic autism, also known as childhood autism, autistic disorder, (early) infantile autism, infantile psychosis, Kanner's autism, Kanner's syndrome, or (formerly) just autism, is a neurodevelopmental condition first described by Leo Kanner in 1943. It is characterized by atypical and impaired development in social interaction and communication as well as restricted, repetitive behaviors, activities, and interests. These symptoms first appear in early childhood and persist throughout life.

A behavioral cusp is any behavior change that brings an organism's behavior into contact with new contingencies that have far-reaching consequences. A behavioral cusp is a special type of behavior change because it provides the learner with opportunities to access new reinforcers, new contingencies, new environments, new related behaviors (generativeness) and competition with archaic or problem behaviors. It affects the people around the learner, and these people agree to the behavior change and support its development after the intervention is removed.

A licensed behavior analyst is a type of behavioral health professional in the United States. They have at least a master's degree, and sometimes a doctorate, in behavior analysis or a related field. Behavior analysts apply radical behaviorism, or applied behavior analysis, to people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program</span>

The Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) is an assessment and skills-tracking system to assess the language, learning and social skills of children with autism or other developmental disabilities. A strong focus of the VB-MAPP is language and social interaction, which are the predominant areas of weakness in children with autism. Originally developed as a book for the guide and protocol, Dr. Sundberg has also published an app version of the VB-MAPP

Alpine Learning Group is a state funding approved private special education school in Paramus, New Jersey, United States. Established in 1988, the school serves students aged 3 to 21 with autism spectrum disorder, and it is known to be a prestigious educational and research facility utilizing applied behavior analysis (ABA) services.

Beth Sulzer-Azaroff was a psychologist and pioneering figure in the field of behavior analysis. She conducted research on organizational behavior management and promoted the use of applied behavior analysis for teaching children with autism. The Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences noted her contributions as "instrumental in translating findings from the basic behavior analytic laboratory to the applied setting, from the classroom to the factory."

The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a form of intervention directed at young children that display early signs of being on the autism spectrum proposed by American psychiatrists Sally J. Rogers and Geraldine Dawson. It is intended to help children improve development traits as early as possible so as to narrow or close the gaps in capabilities between the individual and their peers.

Cathleen C. Piazza is a researcher specializing in the assessment and treatment of pediatric feeding disorders. Her work has been foundational to modern research, assessment, and treatment methodologies in this field. Currently, she serves as the director of the pediatric feeding disorders program at the Munroe-Meyer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

References

  1. Daou, Nidal (2014-08-30). "Conducting Behavioral Research with Children Attending Nonbehavioral Intervention Programs for Autism: the Case of Lebanon". Behavior Analysis in Practice. 7 (2): 78–90. doi:10.1007/s40617-014-0017-0. ISSN   1998-1929. PMC   4711753 . PMID   27574580.
  2. "BridgetTaylor - Association for Behavior Analysis International". www.abainternational.org. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  3. Maurice, Catherine (1994-07-19). Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family's Triumph over Autism (Reprint ed.). Ballantine Books. ISBN   978-0-449-90664-4.
  4. Walsh, Mary Beth (2011). "The Top 10 Reasons Children With Autism Deserve ABA". Behavior Analysis in Practice. 4 (1): 72–79. doi:10.1007/BF03391777. ISSN   1998-1929. PMC   3196209 . PMID   22532906.
  5. Soleiman, Pegah; Moradi, Hadi; Mehralizadeh, Bijan; Ameri, Hamed; Arriaga, Rosa I.; Pouretemad, Hamid Reza; Baghbanzadeh, Negin; Vahid, Leila Kashani (2023-05-03). "Fully robotic social environment for teaching and practicing affective interaction: Case of teaching emotion recognition skills to children with autism spectrum disorder, a pilot study". Frontiers in Robotics and AI. 10: 1088582. doi: 10.3389/frobt.2023.1088582 . ISSN   2296-9144. PMC   10190599 . PMID   37207048.
  6. Daou, Nidal (2014-08-30). "Conducting Behavioral Research with Children Attending Nonbehavioral Intervention Programs for Autism: the Case of Lebanon". Behavior Analysis in Practice. 7 (2): 78–90. doi:10.1007/s40617-014-0017-0. ISSN   1998-1929. PMC   4711753 . PMID   27574580.
  7. Gatzunis, Ksenia S.; Weiss, Mary Jane; Ala’i-Rosales, Shahla; Fahmie, Tara A.; Syed, Noor Y. (2023-04-26). "Using Behavioral Skills Training to Teach Functional Assessment Interviewing, Cultural Responsiveness, and Empathic and Compassionate Care to Students of Applied Behavior Analysis". Behavior Analysis in Practice: 1–27. doi:10.1007/s40617-023-00794-0. ISSN   1998-1929. PMC   10132407 . PMID   37363650.
  8. Rodriguez, Kristine A.; Tarbox, Jonathan; Tarbox, Courtney (2023-12-01). "Compassion in Autism Services: A Preliminary Framework for Applied Behavior Analysis". Behavior Analysis in Practice. 16 (4): 1034–1046. doi:10.1007/s40617-023-00816-x. ISSN   2196-8934. PMC   10700259 . PMID   38076740.
  9. "Dr. Bridget Taylor, PsyD, BCBA-D - Meet the Author". Rethink. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  10. "Bridget Taylor, Psy.D. BCBA-D". Epic School. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  11. "Fellows of ABAI - Association for Behavior Analysis International". www.abainternational.org. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  12. "Who We Are | Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies" . Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  13. NEWS, BACB (2020-01-10). "Episode 3: Refocusing BACB Support of Global Certification". Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  14. "Professional Advisory Board". Association for Science in Autism Treatment. Retrieved 2024-02-18.