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CURRICULUM VITAE
Richard B. Graff
Home AddressWork Address
20 Leland Hill RoadNew England Center for Children
Sutton, MA 0159033 Turnpike Rd.
Phone: (508) 865-4160Southborough, MA 01772
E-mail: hone: (508) 481-1015 x3133 Fax: (508) 485-3421
E-Mail:
EDUCATION
Western New England College, Springfield, MA: Ph.D., Behavior Analysis, 2010
Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts: M.S., Applied Behavior
Analysis, 1996
University of Rochester, Rochester, New York: B.A., Psychology, 1980
CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE
July, 2015: Massachusetts Licensed Behavior Analyst. License # 000000089
June, 2014: New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst. License # 000017-1
June, 2000: Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Charter Member. Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc., Certificate # 1-00-0049
PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT
September 2016 to present: Senior Scientist, New England Center for Children, Southborough, Massachusetts
August 2010 to August 2016: Clinical Director, New England Center for Children, Southborough, Massachusetts
July 2008 to August, 2010: Director, Staff Intensive Unit, New England Center for Children,
Southborough, Massachusetts
August 1998 to July 2008: Program Director, New England Center for Children,
Southborough, Massachusetts
September 1995 to August 1998: Program Specialist, New England Center for Children, Southborough, Massachusetts
PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT (CON’T)
July 1991 to September 1995: Clinical/Educational Specialist, New England Center for Autism, Southborough, Massachusetts
September 1989 to July 1991: Team Coordinator, New England Center for
Autism, Southborough, Massachusetts
September 1988 to September 1989: Assistant Coordinator, New England Center for Autism, Southborough, Massachusetts
September 1987 to September 1988: Teacher/Case Manager, New England Center for Autism, Southborough, Massachusetts
August 1986 to September 1987: Teacher, Efficacy Research Institute, Framingham, Massachusetts
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Association for Behavior Analysis International
Association of Professional Behavior Analysts
Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy
United Arab Emirates Association for Behavior Analysis
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
November 2013 to January 2015: ABA Regulation Task Force for the Board of Allied Mental Health, Massachusetts Department of Public Licensure, Boston MA.
September, 2012 to present: Assistant to the Chair, Western New England University Institutional Review Board.
July 2012 to present: Convention Program Committee, Association of Professional Behavior Analysts.
July 2011 to September, 2013: Health Expert for the Autism & Asperger’s Syndrome Forum, Med Help International
October 2004 to present: Board of Directors, Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy.
October 2004 to present:Chair of Conference Planning Committee, Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy
February 2004- September 2004: Peer Review Committee, Pathways Strategic Teaching Center, Warwick, RI.
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
October 2003- October 2004: President, Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy
October 2002-October 2003: President-Elect, Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy
October 2001-October 2002: Chair of Conference Planning Committee, Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy
October1998-October 2001; Member of Conference Planning Committee, Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy
EDITORIAL INVOLVEMENT
Editorial Board, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis: 2004-2005, 2007-2009
Editorial Board, Behavioral Interventions: 2004-2016
Guest Reviewer, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis: 1999-2004, 2006-2007, 2010-2016
Guest Reviewer, Journal of Behavioral Education: 2014, 2016
Guest Reviewer,Behavioral Interventions: 2001-2004
Guest Reviewer, Research in Developmental Disabilities:2006, 2013
Guest Reviewer, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders: 2013
Guest Reviewer, Education and Treatment of Children: 2007
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
September 2012 to Present: Clinical Adjunct Faculty, Western New England University, Springfield MA. Masters Degree Program in Applied Behavior Analysis.
September 1997 to August, 2011: Instructor, Northeastern University, Boston,
Massachusetts. Masters Degree Program in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Courses Taught:
Ethics and Professional Behavior
Behavioral Intervention I (Observation and Measurement)
Systematic Inquiry into Applied Research I
Systematic Inquiry into Applied Research II
Functional Assessment and Treatment of Behavior Disorders I
Functional Assessment and Treatment of Behavior Disorders II
Thesis Seminar I
CONSULTING EXPERIENCE
June 2015 to present: William James College, Newton MA
July 1999 to present: Rhode Island Department of Human Services, Center for Child Family Health.
June 2014 to June 2015: Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, Newton, MA.
February 2010 to June 2012: Hillcrest Educational Centers, Pittsfield, MA.’
June 2005 to May 2008: Wellesley, MA Public Schools
April-August 2006: West Gloster, RI Public Schools
April 2004: Farmington, CT Public Schools
August-September, 2003: MASS Advocates for Children and Boston Public Schools, Boston MA.
November 2001: Praxis Corporation, Belmont, MA
January 1999: Coffee County School System, Manchester, Tennessee
January 1999: Raineswood Residential Training Center, Memphis, Tennessee
PUBLICATIONS-REFEREED
Ciccone, F., Graff, R. B., & Ahearn, W. H. (2015). Increasing the efficiency of paired-stimulus preference assessments by identifying categories of preference. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 48, 221-226.
Graff, R. B., & Karsten, A. M. (2012). Assessing preferences of individuals with developmental disabilities: A survey of current practices. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 5(2), 37-48.
Graff, R. B., & Karsten, A. M. (2012). Evaluation of a self-instruction package for conducting stimulus preference assessments. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 45, 69-82.
Graff, R. B., & Larsen, J. (2011). Therelation between obtained preference value and reinforcer potency. Behavioral Interventions, 26, 125-133.
Chappell, N., Graff, R. B., Libby, M.E., & Ahearn, W. H. (2009). Further evaluation of the effects of motivating outcomes on preference assessment outcomes. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3, 660-669.
Stayer Smeltzer, S., Graff, R. B., Libby, M. L., & Ahearn, W. H. (2009). Effect of choice of task sequence on responding. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3, 734-742.
PUBLICATIONS-REFEREED (CON’T)
Groskreutz, M. P., & Graff, R. B. (2009). Evaluating pictorial preference assessments: The effect of differential outcomes on preference assessment results. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3, 113-128.
Ciccone, F., Graff, R. B., & Ahearn, W. H. (2007). Long-term assessment of preference stability. Behavioral Interventions, 22, 223-228.
Ciccone, F., Graff, R. B., & Ahearn, W. H. (2006). Stimulus preference assessments and the utility of a moderate category. Behavioral Interventions, 21, 59-63.
Graff, R. B., Gibson, L., & Galiatsatos, G. (2006). The impact of high and low preference stimuli on relevant vocational and academic performance of youths with severe disabilities. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 39, 131-135.
Ciccone, F., Graff, R. B., & Ahearn, W.H. (2005). An alternate scoring method for the multiple stimulus without replacement preference assessment. Behavioral Interventions, 20, 1-7.
Clevenger, T. M., & Graff, R. B. (2005). Assessing the prerequisite skills to using pictorial preference assessments. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 38, 543-547.
Graff, R. B., & Green, G. (2004). Two methods for teaching simple visual discriminations to learners with severe disabilities. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 25, 295-307.
Galiatsatos, G., & Graff, R. B. (2003). Combining descriptive and experimental assessments in the treatment of screaming. Behavioral Interventions, 18, 123-138.
Graff, R. B., & Gibson, L. (2003). Using pictures to assess reinforcers in individuals with developmental disabilities. Behavior Modification, 27, 470-483.
Graff, R. B., and Ciccone, F. (2002). A post-hoc analysis of multiple-stimulus preference assessment results. Behavioral Interventions, 17, 85-92.
Healey, J. J., Ahearn, W. H., Graff, R. B., & Libby, M. E. (2001). An extended analysis of self-injurious behavior. Behavioral Interventions, 16, 181-195.
Cohen-Almeida, D., Graff, R. B., & Ahearn, W. H. (2000). A comparison of verbal and tangible stimulus-choice preference assessments. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 33, 329-334.
Geckeler, A., Libby, M. E., Graff, R. B., & Ahearn, W. H. (2000). Effects of reinforcer choice measured in single and concurrent operants procedures. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 33, 347-351.
Gottschalk, J. M., Libby, M. L., & Graff, R. B. (2000). The effects of establishing operations on preference assessment outcomes. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 33, 81-84.
Graff, R. B., & Libby, M. E. (1999). A comparison of presession and within-session reinforcement choice. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 32, 161-173.
PUBLICATIONS-REFEREED (CON’T)
Graff, R. B., Lineman, G., Libby, M. E., & Ahearn, W. H. (1999). Functional analysis and treatment of screaming in a young girl with severe disabilities. Behavioral Interventions, 14, 233-239.
Graff, R. B., Green, G., & Libby, M. E. (1998). Effects of two levels of treatment intensity for a young child with severe disabilities. Behavioral Interventions, 13, 21-41.
Graff, R. B., Libby, M. E., & Green, G. (1998). The effects of reinforcer choice on rates of challenging behavior and free operant responding in individuals with severe disabilities. Behavioral Interventions, 13, 249-268.
PUBLICATIONS (NON-REFEREED)
Graff, R. B. (2014). A Review of Radical Behaviorism for ABA Practitioners, by James M. Johnston. Association of Professional Behavior Analysts Reporter, #50.
DeLeon, I. G., Graff, R. B., Frank-Crawford, M. A., Rooker, G. W., & Bullock, C. E. (2014). Reinforcement arrangements for learners with autism spectrum disorder (pp. 261-291). In J. Tarbox, D. Dixon, P. Sturmey, & J. Matson (Eds.), Handbook of Early Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders. New York:Springer.
Graff, R. B. (2011). Apprenticeships. In F. Volkmar (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Retrieved from:
Graff, R. B. (2011). Job carving. In F. Volkmar (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Retrieved from:
Graff, R. B. (2011). Job coach. In F. Volkmar (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Retrieved from:
Graff, R. B. (2011). The vaccine-autism hoax: Why didn’t we know sooner? MedHelp, Children’s Health: Information, Symptoms, Treatments, and Resources. Retrieved from:
Graff, R. B., Morrison, H., Cerrone, T. M., & Toran, T. (2007). Motivating individuals with autism with idiosyncratic speech: Identifying reinforcers by comparing verbal and tangible preference assessments. In P. W. O’Neill (Ed.), Motivation of Health Behavior (pp. 15-29). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
Ahearn, W. H., MacDonald, R. P. F., Graff, R. B., & Dube, W. V. (2006). Behavior analytic intervention procedures. InP. Sturmey and A. Fitzer (Eds.), Autism Spectrum Disorders: Applied Behavior Analysis, Evidence and Practice, 31-83. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed. Publishing.
Graff, R. B., Morrison, H., & DeLeon, I. G. (2006). Reinforcement is not a four-letter word. Proceedings of the 37th National Conference of the Autism Society of America, 195-202. Bloomington, IN: Indiana Resource Center for Autism.
PUBLICATIONS (NON-REFEREED)
Graff, R. B. (1999). Required elements to include in an EPSTD treatment plan. In Guidelines for the review and approval of early and periodic screening diagnosis and treatment (EPSTD) prescription treatment plan proposals. Rhode Island Department of Human Services, Center for Child and Family Health.
Manuscripts SUBMITTED/in Preparation
Arsenault, R., & Graff, R. B. (2016). Evaluating the effects of motivating operations on skill acquisition. Manuscript in preparation.
Bauer, E. J., Molteni, J. D., & Graff, R. B. (2016). Evaluating outcomes of stimulus preference assessment under different schedules of stimulus presentation. Manuscript in preparation.
Clark, M. L., & Graff, R. B. (2016). An evaluation of sampling procedures for event recording. Manuscript in preparation.
Livingston, C.E., & Graff, R. B. (2016). Categories of preference and their reinforcing efficacy. Manuscript submitted for publication.
Kautz, M., Debar, R. M., Vladescu, J. C., & Graff, R. B. (2016). A further evaluation of choice of task sequence. Manuscript submitted for publication.
Ward, S. N., & Graff, R. B. (2016). Further evaluation of enhanced written instructions. Manuscript in preparation.
PRESENTATIONS
Ward, S. N., & Graff, R. B. (May, 2016). Training staff, parents, and special educators to conduct free operant preference assessments. In R. DeBar (chair), New Developments in Preference and Reinforcer Assessment Research. Symposium presented at the 42nd annual conference of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Chicago IL.
Graff, R. B., (April, 2016). Innovations in staff training. Invited tutorial presented at the 6th Annual Conference of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, Washington, DC.
Graff, R. B. (March, 2016). Is behavioral skills training always necessary? Training without the trainer. Invited address presented at the 12th annual conference of the Connecticut Association for Behavior Analysis, New Haven, CT.
Kautz, M., Debar, R., Vladescu, J., Donovan, K., Graff, R. B. (October, 2015). A further evaluation of choice of task sequence. In R. DeBar (chair), Advances in Desensitization, Choice, and Behavioral Interventions with Students with Autism. Symposium presented at the 36h Annual Conference of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Amherst MA.
PRESENTATIONS (CON’T)
Arsenault, R., & Graff, R. B. (October, 2015). Evaluating the effects of motivating operations on skill acquisition. In S. L. Bancroft (Chair), Assessing Preference: New Options, Training Methods, and Applications. Symposium presented at the 36h Annual Conference of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Amherst MA.
Ward, S., & Graff, R. B. (October, 2015). Training staff, parents, and special educators to conduct free operant preference assessments. In S. L. Bancroft (Chair), Assessing Preference: New Options, Training Methods, and Applications. Symposium presented at the 36h Annual Conference of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Amherst MA.
Graff, R. B. (April, 2015). Incorporating applied behavior analysis into pediatric medicine: Treatingautism spectrum disorders and common childhood behavior problems. Invited address presented at Pediatric Grand Rounds for the Department of Pediatrics, Cambridge Health Alliance and Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA.
Graff, R. B. (April, 2015). Preference assessments and reinforcer arrangements for individuals with special needs. Invited address presented at the Seven Hills Continuing Professional Education Series, Worcester, MA.
Livingston, C.E., Clark, M., Ward, S., Seyfarth, K., & Graff, R.B. (March, 2015). Categories of preference and their reinforcing efficacy. In T. M. Cerrone (chair), Recent Advances in Preference Assessment Technology. Symposium presented at the 5th Annual Conference of theAssociation of Professional Behavior Analysts, Seattle, WA.
Ward, S., & Graff, R. B. (March, 2015). Further evaluation of self-instruction packets for conducting stimulus preference assessments. In T. M. Cerrone (chair), Recent Advances in Preference Assessment Technology. Symposium presented at the 5th Annual Conference of theAssociation of Professional Behavior Analysts, Seattle, WA.
Livingston, C.E., Clark, M., Ward, S., Seyfarth, K., & Graff, R.B. (October, 2014). Categories of preference and their reinforcing efficacy. In R. B. Graff (chair), Recent research on preference and reinforcement. Symposium presented at the 35th Annual Conference of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Amherst MA.
Graff, R. B. (May, 2014). Applied behavior analysis, intervention of choice for autism: How does it work and what is the evidence behind it? Invited address presented at the Child Mental Health Forum, Judge Baker Children’s Center and Harvard Medical School (Boston, MA).
Graff, R. B. (March, 2014). Changes in the clinical diagnosis and management of concussions: Implications for applied behavior analysts. Invited tutorial presented at the 4th Annual Conference of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, New Orleans, LA.
Graff, R. B. (March, 2014). Preference assessments and reinforcer arrangements for individuals with ASD. Invited address presented at the annual conference of the Autism Alliance of Northeastern New York, Plattsburg NY.
PRESENTATIONS (CON’T)
Graff, R. B. (December, 2013). Considerations for developing clinical programs to reduce problem behavior. Continuing education event presented at NECC-Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Graff, R. B. (December, 2013). Preference assessments and reinforcer arrangements for children with autism. Continuing education event presented at NECC-Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Graff, R. B. (December, 2013). Stimulus preference assessments: Transferring our research-based technology into community settings. Continuing education event presented at NECC-Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Graff, R. B. (October, 2013). Changes in the clinical diagnosis and management of concussions: Implications for applied behavior analysts. Invited tutorial presented at the 34th Annual Conference of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Amherst MA.
Graff, R. B. (March, 2013). Protocols for monitoring the use of restrictive procedures. In M. Riordan (chair), Using peer review to improve the quality of service delivery. Paneldiscussion presented at the 3rd Annual Conference of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, Las Vegas, NV.
Graff, R. B. (March, 2013). Changes in the clinical diagnosis and management of concussions: Implications for applied behavior analysts. Invited address presented at the 2013 PennABA Conference, Hershey, PA.
Graff, R. B. (November, 2012). The role of reinforcement in teaching individuals with autism. Invited address presented at the 2012 Beijing International Autism Conference, Beijing, China.
Graff, R. B. (November, 2012). Clinical treatment of challenging behavior. Invited address presented at the 2012 Beijing International Autism Conference, Beijing, China.
Graff, R. B. (November, 2012). Clinical treatment of challenging behavior. Invited address presented at the 2012 Shenzhen International Autism Conference, Shenzhen, China.
Graff, R. B. (April, 2012). Reducing the use of physical restraint: Principles, pitfalls, and progress. In K. R. Wagner (Chair), When restraint is done correctly: Ethical considerations of the appropriate use of restrain. Paneldiscussion presented at the 2nd Annual Conference of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, Tampa, FL.
Graff, R. B. (March, 2012). Can you give the people what they want if they don’t know what they want? Invited address presented at the 8th Annual Conference of the Connecticut Association for Behavior Analysis, Cromwell, CT.
PRESENTATIONS (CON’T)
Phillips, K. M., Roscoe, E. R., & Graff, R. B. (October, 2011). Survey on the use of function based assessments among professionals working with individuals with developmental disabilities in Massachusetts. In E. R. Roscoe (chair), Functional analysis and treatment of automatically reinforced problem behavior. Symposium presented at the 32nd Annual Conference of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Amherst MA.
Graff, R. B., & Karsten, A. M. (May, 2010). Assessing preferences of individuals with special needs: A survey of current practices. In E. R. Roscoe (chair), Current practices and refinements in preference and reinforcer assessment methodology. Symposium presented at the 37th Annual Conference of the Association of Behavior Analysis, Denver.
Graff, R. B., & Karsten, A. M. (May, 2011). Evaluation of a self-instruction package for conducting stimulus preference assessments. In A. M. Karsten (chair), Recent advances in staff training.Symposium presented at the 37th Annual Conference of the Association of Behavior Analysis, Denver, CO.
Graff, R. B., & Karsten, A. M. (March, 2011). A comparison of reinforcer identification practices of Board Certified Behavior Analysts and non-certified professionals. In R. B. Graff (chair), Advances in using applied behavior analysis with individuals with developmental disabilities. Symposium presented at the 82ndannual conference of the Eastern Psychological Association, Cambridge, MA.
Graff, R. B., & Karsten, A. M. (March, 2011). Evaluating the effects of enhanced written instructions on staff acquisition of preference assessment methodology. In R. B. Graff (chair), Advances in using applied behavior analysis with individuals with developmental disabilities. Symposium presented at the 82nd annual conference of the Eastern Psychological Association, Cambridge, MA.
Graff, R. B., & Karsten, A. M. (October, 2010). Survey of reinforcer identification practices in education and treatment of individuals with disabilities. In E. Roscoe (chair), Advances in Assessing Preferences and Reinforcers for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. Symposium presented at the 31st Annual Conference of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Amherst MA.
Graff, R. B., & Karsten, A. M. (October, 2010). Evaluation of a self-instruction package for conducting stimulus preference assessments. In E. Roscoe (chair), Advances in Assessing Preferences and Reinforcers for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. Symposium presented at the 31st Annual Conference of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Amherst MA.
Seaver, J. P., Kenyon, S. E., & Graff, R. B. (October, 2010). Reducing physical restraint through the use of alternative interventions. In J. Seaver (chair), Reducing restraint: Some practical strategies for children with severe challenging behavior. Symposium presented at the 31st Annual Conference of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Amherst MA.
Seaver, J. P., Kenyon, S. E., & Graff, R. B. (May, 2010). Reducing physical restraint through the use of alternative interventions. In J. Seaver (chair), Reducing restraint: Some practical strategies for children with severe challenging behavior. Symposium presented at the 36th Annual Conference of the Association of Behavior Analysis, San Antonio.
PRESENTATIONS (CON’T)
Graff, R. B. (April, 2010). Increasing motivation in individuals with developmental disabilities. Session presented at the 31st Annual Conference of the YAI National Institute of People with Disabilities, New York, NY.
Graff, R. B. (July, 2008). Increasing motivation in individuals with autism by accurately identifying preferences and reinforcers. Session presented at the 39th National Conference and Exposition of the Autism Society of America, Orlando, FL.
Harhood, A., Graff, R. B., & Ahearn, W. H. (May, 2008). Measuring preference for participant-selected versus experimenter-delivered reinforcers. In R. B. Graff (chair), Evaluating preference for instructional and treatment approaches in individuals with developmental disabilities. Symposium presented at the 34th Annual Conference of the Association of Behavior Analysis, Chicago.