Ronald Leaf, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who began his
career working with Ivar Lovaas in 1973 while receiving his
undergraduate degree at UCLA. Subsequently he received his
doctorate under the direction of Dr. Lovaas. During his
years at UCLA he served as Clinic Supervisor, Research
Psychologist, Interim Director of the Autism Project and
Lecturer. He was extensively involved in several research
investigations, contributed to the Me
Book and is a co-author of the Me Book
Videotapes, a series of instructional tapes for
teaching autistic children. Dr. Leaf has consulted to
families, schools, day programs and residential facilities on a
national and international basis. Ron is a Director of
Autism Partnership. Dr. Leaf has published extensively in
research journals. Dr. Leaf is the co-author of:
A Work in Progress, Time
for School, It Has to Be
Said!, Crafting
Connections, A Work in Progress
Companion Series and Clinical Judgment.
John McEachin is a licensed psychologist who has been providing
behavioral intervention to children with autism as well as
adolescents and adults with a wide range of developmental
disabilities for more than 35 years. He received his graduate
training under Professor Ivar Lovaas at UCLA on the Young Autism
Project. During his 11 years at UCLA, Dr. McEachin served in
various roles including Clinic Supervisor, Research and Teaching
Assistant, and Acting Director. His research has included the
long-term follow-up study of young autistic children who received
intensive behavioral treatment, which was published in 1993.
In 1994 he joined with Ron Leaf in forming Autism Partnership,
which they co-direct. In 1999 they published A Work in Progress,
a widely used behavioral treatment manual and curriculum for
children with autism. Dr. McEachin has lectured throughout the
world and co-authored numerous books and research articles. He
consults regularly to families, agencies, and school districts,
assisting in the development of treatment programs and providing
training to parents, group home staff, and classroom personnel.
Dr. Justin Leaf is the Director of Research 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 twelve
years of clinical and research experience working with children,
adolescents, and adults with autism and other developmental
disabilities. Justin has published over 25 empirically based
studies in several prominent peer review journals including
the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavioral
Interventions, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Journal
of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Justin’s areas of
research interest are increasing social behaviors, group
instruction, prompting, and outcome studies. Justin is currently
on the editorial board of the Journal of Autism and
Developmental Disorders and commonly is a guest reviewer to
other peer reviewed journals. Justin provides workshops and
presentations both nationally and internationally.
