Dorothea Lerman is currently a Professor of Behavior Analysis at the University of Houston – Clear Lake, where she chairs the master’s program in behavior analysis and serves as Director of the UHCL Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD). She received her doctoral degree in Psychology from the University of Florida in 1995, specializing in behavior analysis. Her areas of expertise include autism, developmental disabilities, early intervention, functional analysis, teacher and parent training, and treatment of severe behavior disorders. She currently oversees several programs at CADD, including a focused intervention program for children with autism, a vocational program for adults with disabilities, a student support program for college students with autism, and a teacher training program for local school districts. Dr. Lerman has published more than 80 research articles and chapters, served as Editor-in-Chief for The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and Behavior Analysis in Practice and has secured more than $2 million in grants and contracts to support her work. She was the recipient of the 2007 Distinguished Contribution to Applied Behavioral Research Award and the 2001 B.F. Skinner Award for New Researchers, awarded by Division 25 of the American Psychological Association. She also was named a Fellow of the Association for Behavior Analysis-International in 2008. Dr. Lerman is a Licensed Behavior Analyst and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Abstract: An increasing number of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities are entering adulthood without adequate preparation for employment. Behavior analysts have much to offer these individuals as they prepare for life after high school. This presentation will provide an overview of skills critical to success in maintaining employment, with a specific focus on social and problem-solving skills. Outcomes of research and practice for teaching job-related social and problem-solving skills will be described. The presentation will provide step-by-step instructions and tips for implementing initial vocational assessments and will describe an assessment-driven approach for identifying effective interventions that may be practical for supervisors to implement on job sites.