Hi! Meet the clinicians behind Positive Behavior Academy.
We do the research so you don't have to.
Positive Behavior Academy was founded by five talented clinicians who studied together at Stony Brook University with Dr. Edward G. Carr, a leader in the fields of developmental disabilities and Autism. The team brings decades of experience impacting the lives of others… now helping you to grow, learn and support with confidence.
You’re in the right place if…
- You have difficulty navigating your way to the best behavioral resources.
- You want easy-to-use, manageable tools to help with all your needs to provide support for people with diverse abilities at all stages of life.
- You’re a life long learner looking for CEUs you can use.
The founders of PBA are fellow grad students who went on to successfully work as clinicians in a variety of community settings, including schools, hospitals, family homes, clinics, and agency settings, covering the full spectrum of Positive Behavior supports. We have stayed connected for over two decades, and share common core beliefs about behavior change. That is, behavior change is always possible, and can produce lifestyle change. With the right tools, stakeholders can meaningfully engage in behavior change. When stakeholders work together, the sum of our efforts is even greater than any one person’s contribution.
Kaarin Anderson-Ryan, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA: expanding our vision to a wider audience!
She has worked for over 25 years helping individuals and families to find positive solutions to challenging problems. She is committed to helping people with friendships, social skills, and parenting.
Theresa Giacobbe-Grieco, MA, ABA Certificate: identifying gaps and developing creative, easy to use solutions!
She is passionate about supporting successful transitions from school to adult life, self-determination, advocacy, friendship formation, and high school and college social support.
John Innis, MA, BCBA, LBA: developing adult education classes and opportunities for people with autism and other unique learning needs.
His recent work centers on functional routines, broad systems change, improved quality of life for older individuals with support needs, full, meaningful community inclusion and lifetime learning opportunities for all.
Nancy Langdon, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA: simplifying research into clinical applications.
Her career focus has been on functional behavior assessment and assessment of precursor behavior. Currently, she provides testing and evaluation services to help individuals access the supports and services they need.
Darlene Magito McLaughlin, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA: anticipates trends in the field… before they happen!
She is a leader in the field. Her research and clinical interests include functional communication, person centered planning, setting events, broad systems change, and longitudinal intervention approaches.
Kaarin - loves the outdoors (beaches or mountains, please), aspiring to creative pursuits, and is always looking for any reason to travel.
Nancy - loves animals, reading, and crossword puzzles. And shopping for shoes!
Theresa - Is a Certified Master Gardener (plays with dirt!), loves kayaking, and is in constant pursuit of finishing her Good Reads List.
John - travels frequently (often in search of great music), plays pickleball, and is a failed gardener that just won't give up!
