Curriculum Vita
October 2017
Jessica L. Thomason-Sassi
Personal Information
Home Address: 1561 Great Plain Avenue Work Address: New England Center for Children
Needham, MA 02492 33 Turnpike Rd
Phone: (617) 953-4156 Southborough, MA 01772
E-mail: (508) 481-1015 ext. 3150
Education
A.A. University of Central Florida, 1997
B.S. University of Florida, 1998
M.S. University of Florida, 2006
Ph.D. University of Florida, 2007
Clinical Experience
Clinical Director, New England Center for Children, August 2016 – present
Provide oversight and supervision of the clinical services provided to the school’s residential and day students, develop trainings for clinicians, staff, and parents, develop school-wide policies on best clinical practice, supervise residential program directors and specialists, conduct and disseminate research related to clinical practice.
Residential Program Director, New England Center for Children, 2009 –2016
Provide clinical and educational supervision, participate in school-wide program development (Best Clinical and Instructional Practice, Health and Hygiene curricula, among others), participate in graduate program development and implementation, and oversee research.
Program Specialist, New England Center for Children, 2007 –2009
Design clinical and educational programs; train and supervise teaching staff
Behavior Analyst, ARC Prader-Willi Syndrome program, 2005 –2007
Develop behavior intervention programs, train staff, write progress reports and attend progress meetings
Site Coordinator for the Florida Center for Self-Injury and the University of Florida Autism Program, 2003 –2005
Organize and manage ongoing research and clinical projects, act as liaison to hospital administration, supervise junior graduate students and volunteers, meet with psychiatrists to review caseloads and screen incoming clients
Primary Therapist, Florida Center for Self-Injury and the University of Florida Autism Program, 2001 –2003
Conduct assessment and treatment of problem behavior and teach caregivers/teachers to implement treatment
Behavior Data/Clinical Specialist, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 1999 –2001
Conduct assessment and treatment of problem behavior and teach caregivers to implement treatment
Teaching Appointments
Clinical Adjunct Faculty and Instructor, Western New England University Program in Behavior Analysis, Jan 2009 – present
Courses: Behavioral Assessment (PSY 502), Behavioral Interventions (PSY 503), Dissertation Research (PSY 851), Thesis Research (PSY 510), Supervised Practicum in ABA (PSY 525)
Instructor, Simmons College Master’s Program in Severe Special Needs, Aug 2008 – August 2010
Courses: Evidence-Based Behavior Evaluation in Autism and Developmental Disabilities (SPND 462), Applied Research in the Education of Learners with Special Needs (SPND 415), Applied Research II (SPND 416)
Graduate Instructor, University of Florida, Department of Psychology, Jan-April 2005
Course: Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis (EAB 3764)
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Florida, Department of Psychology, Aug 2002-Aug 2004
Courses: Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis (EAB 3764); Laboratory in Applied Behavior Analysis (EAB 4714C)
Research Appointments
Clinical Adjunct Faculty, Western New England University Program in Behavior Analysis, Jan 2009 – present
Supervise completion of Doctoral and Master’s-level student research projects
Thesis Advisor, Northeastern University Master’s Program in Applied Behavior Analysis, August 2008 - 2011
Design and supervise completion of Master’s-level students’ theses
Thesis Advisor, Simmons College Master’s Program in Severe Special Needs, August 2009 - 2011
Design and supervise completion of Master’s-level students’ research projects
Graduate Research Assistant, ARC PWS program, May 2005 – May 2007
Design and conduct research on characteristics of PWS and behavior or skill acquisition problems relevant to the population, present research at conferences; teach a 20-hour course on applied behavior analysis for incoming staff
Graduate Research Assistant, Alachua ARC, Sidney Lanier School, and University of Florida Autism Program sites of the Florida Center for Self-Injury, August 2001 – April 2005
Design and conduct research on the assessment and treatment of problem behaviors, identification of reinforcers, and methods to enhance skill acquisition and maintenance; present research at professional forums/conferences
Editorial and Professional Service
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Guest reviewer and Guest Action Eeditor, 2002 – present
Behavioral Interventions, Guest reviewer
International Journal of Behavior Analysis and Autism Spectrum Disorders, Editorial Board, January 2013 – present
Coordinator, Autism Area, Association for Behavior Analysis, International Annual Conference, 2013-2017
Publications
Thomason-Sassi, J.L., Iwata, B.A., & Fritz, J.N. (2013). Therapist and setting influences on functional analysis outcomes. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 46, 79-87.
Dozier, C.L., Iwata, B.A., Wilson, D.M., Thomason-Sassi, J.L., & Roscoe, E.M. (2013). Does supplemental reinforcement of stereotypy facilitate extinction? Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 46, 242-255.
Neidert, P.L., Iwata, B.A., Dempsey, C.M., & Thomason-Sassi, J.L. (2013). Latency of response during the functional analysis of elopement. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 46, 312-316.
Dozier, C. L., & Iwata, B. A., Thomason, J. L., Worsdell, A. S., & Wilson, D. M. (2012). A comparison of two pairing procedures to establish praise as a reinforcer. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 45, 721-735.
Thomason-Sassi, J.L., Iwata, B.A., Neidert, P.L. & Roscoe, E. (2011). Evaluation of response latency as the index of problem behavior during functional analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 51-67.
Worsdell, A. S., Iwata, B. A., Dozier, C. L., Johnson, A. D., Neidert, P. L., & Thomason, J. L. (2005). Analysis of response repetition as an error-correction strategy during sight-word reading. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 38, 511-527.
Toole, L.M., Bowman, L.G., Thomason, J.L., Hagopian, L.P., & Rush, K.S. (2003). Observed increases in positive affect during behavioral treatment. Behavioral Interventions, 18, 35-42.
Manuscripts in preparation
Courtemanche, A., & Thomason-Sassi, J.L. Establishing within-session response diversity in an autistic population and promoting generalization to daily routines. Manuscript in preparation.
Dozier, C.L., Iwata, B.A., Thomason-Sassi, J.L., & Neidert, P.L. Evaluation of a conjugate reinforcement schedule for exercise behavior in individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Manuscript in preparation.
LeBlanc, J. & Thomaon-Sassi, J.L. A comparison of the effects of DRO and DRL schedules on problem behavior. Manuscript in prepation.
McConnell, K., & Thomason-Sassi, J.L. Assessment and treatment of disruptive behavior maintained by escape from dental procedures for individuals with autism. Manuscript in preparation.
Neidert, P.L., Iwata, B.A., Dozier, C.L., & Thomason-Sassi, J.L. Functional analysis of self-injurious behavior in the Prader-Willi Syndrome. Manuscript in preparation.
Szalwinski, J., & Thomason-Sassi, J.L. An evaluation of inter-session duration in treating problem behavior during dental demands. Manuscript in preparation.
Thomason-Sassi, J.L. & Iwata, B.A. Food preferences in individuals with and without Prader-Willi syndrome. Manuscript in preparation.
Thomason-Sassi, J.L., & Iwata, B.A. Determinants of food selection in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome. Manuscript in preparation.
Presentations
Thomason-Sassi, J.L. (2017, January). A desensitization-based approach to improving dental visits for children with autism. Invited paper presented at the TxABA regional conference on behavior analysis in Austin, Tx.
Thomason-Sassi, J.L. (2013, March). Functional analysis: Methodological modifications for addressing practical constraints. In E. Roscoe (Chair), Preference Assessments and Functional Analysis: Identification of idiosyncratic reinforcers and practical enhancements. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, Las Vegas, NV.
Thomason-Sassi, J.L., & Iwata, B.A. (2009, May). Treatment technologies for escape-maintained behavior: A qualitative analysis. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Phoenix, AZ.
Thomason, J.L., Iwata, B.A., Dozier, C.L., & Neidert, P.L. (2007, May). Effects of quality, magnitude, and delay on selection of food reinforcers in individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome. In G. Pace (Chair), Toward an analysis of variables that affect preference and reinforcer assessment outcomes: Part 2.
Thomason, J.L., Iwata, B.A., Dozier, C.L., & Neidert, P.L. (2006, May). Determinants of food preference in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome. In B. Iwata (Chair), Research on Behavioral Characteristics of the Prader-Willi Syndrome. Paper also presented at the 28th Annual Prader-Willi Syndrome Association Conference, Grand Island, NY (2006, July).
Thomason, J.L., Iwata, B.A., & Fritz, J.N. (2005, May). Correspondence of functional analyses across settings and therapists. In M. Wallace (Chair), Advances in Functional Analysis Methodologies. Symposium presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Chicago, IL (2005, May). Paper also presented at the annual meeting of the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis, Sarasota, FL (2005, September).
Thomason, J.L., Iwata, B.A., & Neidert, P.L. (2004, February). An evaluation of latency as the index of problem behavior during functional analyses. In M. Wallace (Chair), Innovations in Functional Analysis Methodologies. Symposium presented at the annual meeting of the California Association for Behavior Analysis, San Francisco, CA. Paper also presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Boston, MA (2004, May). Paper also presented at the annual meeting of the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis, Orlando, FL (2004, September).
Thomason, J., Kahng, S., Kogan, J., & Keevican, A. (2001, May). The use of functional communication training to reduce destructive behaviors during transitions. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, New Orleans, LA.
Thomason, J., Bowman, L. G., & Toole, L. M. (2000, May). Decreasing destructive behavior during a bath routine. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Washington, D.C. Paper also presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C. (2000, August). Paper also presented at the annual meeting of the Maryland Association for Behavior Analysis, Baltimore, MD (2000, October).