Handbook of Social Skills and Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment, Curricula, and Intervention

Justin B. Leaf, Ph.D.,   BCBA-D.,  is the Director of Research and Training for the Autism Partnership Foundation (APF) and for the Center for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis™ (CABA). Dr. Leaf is also an Adjunct Professor at Endicott College. Dr. Leaf received his doctorate degree in Behavioral Psychology from the Department of Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas. He worked under the mentorship of Drs. James Sherman and Jan Sheldon. Currently, he leads the research team at APF, which conducts research projects nationally and internationally. His research interests include examining methods to improve social behaviors and, more importantly, develop meaningful friendships for children and adolescents diagnosed with autism, comparing different teaching methodologies, evaluating parameters of reinforcement, and evaluating long-term outcomes for individuals diagnosed with autism. Dr. Leaf has over 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals or book chapters and has presented at national and international professional conferences and invited events. He is an Associate Editor for the  Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders  and serves or has served on the editorial boards for the  Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disorders,  and the  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis .