Meet Jennifer Sweeney, Ph.D., BCBA-D, COBA
Dr. Jennifer Sweeney is the Founder and Director of Solutions Behavioral Consulting. Using high-quality Applied Behavior Analysis practices and principles, Dr. Sweeney and her staff provide behavioral consultation services for families with children who have an autism spectrum disorder and other behavioral needs.
Dr. Sweeney completed her doctorate in Special Education under Dr. Melody Tankersley at Kent State University. She completed her Masters of Arts in Special Education at Ohio State University in 2003, where her thesis was, “The Effects of Behavioral Momentum on the Non-compliance Behaviors of Children with Autism.” Dr. Sweeney has subsequently received her Board Certification for Behavior Analysts, is a certified Ohio Behavior Analyst and holds licenses in both Special Education and Elementary Education.
As a passionate professional about autism and other related behavioral disorders, Dr. Sweeney has a great interest in research and critical inquiry into behavioral interventions. As such, she engages in a variety of professional development opportunities to continue to stay educated on current research and practices. She has conducted several studies and presented at conferences including “Reducing problem behavior in an elementary school lunchroom through a school-wide positive behavior support model: The use of praise statements,” and “Using token economies and DRO as reinforcement-based intervention for students with autism.”
Currently, Dr. Sweeney serves as an adjunct instructor at Kent State University in the Special Education Department, developing and teaching courses such as Program Development of ABA, Applied Behavior Analysis I, Advanced Interventions, and Advanced practicum.
For the eight years before her Doctoral studies, and teaching, Dr. Sweeney worked as a Clinical and Case Supervisor with the Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intensive Behavioral Intervention Program. There she trained and supervised staff on the principles of applied behavior analysis, developed and coordinated home and school intervention programs, trained teachers, tutors, and parents on how to apply principles of behavior analysis and collaborated with parents and teachers on the development and implementation of individualized education plans (IEPs).
Dr. Sweeney is the President of the Ohio Association for Behavior Analysis and has served on the Board in various roles since 2011. She is a member of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts and the Association of Behavior Analysis International.
PUBLICATIONS:
Gongola, L., & Sweeney, J. (2007). Managing classroom behaviors: Tools to facilitate behavior interventions in the general education setting. Autism Advocate, 30-34.
Kirby, T. J., Migliorini, J., & Peterson S. (2006). Picture Based Communication Systems. In E.A. Boutot and M. Tincani (Eds.), Autism Spectrum Disorders Handouts: What Parents Need to Know (pp.61-63). Austin, TX: ProEd.
Frieder, J.E., Kirby, T. J., & Migliorini, J. (2006). Teaching Social Skills through Play. In E.A Boutot and M. Tincani (Eds.), Autism Spectrum Disorders Handouts: What Parents Need to Know (pp.137-138). Austin, TX: ProEd.
Migliorini, J., Kirby, T.J., & Peterson S. (2006). Using Prompts to Help Your Child Learn. In E.A. Boutot and M. Tincani (Eds.), Autism Spectrum Disorders Handouts: What Parents Need to Know (pp.147-149). Austin, TX: ProEd.
PRESENTATIONS:
Sweeney, J. (2010, June). Discrete trials: Classroom application for groups of children. Presented at the Autism Conference at Kent State University Kent, OH.
Sweeney, J., & Gongola, L. (2010, June). Discrete trials: Classroom application for groups of children. Presented at the Milestones Conference, Pepper Pike, OH.
Sweeney, J. (2010, May). A systematic replication of the effectiveness of group discrete trial teaching with students with autism. Paper session presented at the Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Santa Fe, TX.
Sweeney, J., Yasenosky, C., Tankersley, M., & Balan, C. (2010, May). The effects of self-monitoring on descriptive praise statements. Poster session presented at the Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Santa Fe, TX.
Sweeney, J., & Gongola, L. (2009, June). Skill development: Programming for generalization. Presented at the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence Disorders Conference, Columbus, OH.
Gongola, L., & Sweeney, J. (2009, June). Discrete trials for students with autism: Getting started. Presented at the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence Disorders conference, Columbus, OH.
Gongola, L., & Sweeney, J. (2009, July). Exploring Intensive Behavioral Intervention as an evidence-based practice for children with autism. Presented at the Autism Society of America conference, Chicago, IL.
Gongola, L., & Sweeney, J. (2009, June). Using token economies and DRO as reinforcement-based intervention for students with autism. Presented at the Milestones conference, Pepper Pike, OH.
Sweeney, J., LaVogue, C., & Tankersley, M. (2009, May). Reducing problem behavior in an elementary school lunchroom through a school-wide positive behavior support model: The use of praise statements. Poster session presented at the Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Phoenix, AZ.
Gongola, L., & Sweeney, J. (2008, November). A practitioner’s guide to implementing DRO among students with autism. Presented at the NATTAP conference hosted by the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence Disorders.
Sweeney, J., Wynn, J. & Stull, J. (2008, November). Intensive behavioral intervention: Skill development, from acquisition to maintenance to generalization. Presented at the NATTAP conference hosted by the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence Disorders.
Sweeney, J., & Gongola, L. (2008, November). Managing classroom behaviors: Tools to facilitate behavior interventions in the general education setting. Poster session presented at the NATTAP conference hosted by the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence Disorders.
Gongola, L., & Sweeney, J. (2008, July). Managing classroom behaviors: Tools to facilitate behavior interventions in the general education setting. Poster session presented at the Autism Society of America Conference, Kissimmee, FL.
Sweeney, J. (2008, May). Aspects of Being a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Chaired Panel session at the Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Chicago, IL.
Sweeney, J., Goldyn, J., & Friedt, B. (2008, May). Enhancing language acquisition skills for students across multiple disabilities: A comparison of two instructional strategies. Paper session presented at the Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Chicago, IL.
Wynn, J., Sweeney, J., & Lawrence, M. (2007, June). Academic modifications for higher-functioning Students. Paper session presented at the Milestones Annual Conference, Ohio.
Wynn, J., & Sweeney, J. (2007, June). Workshop on Behavior Interventions. Presented at Milestones Training Workshop, Ohio.
Gongola, L., & Sweeney, J. (2007, May). Managing classroom behaviors: Tools to facilitate behavior interventions in the general education setting. Poster session presented at the Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, San Diego, CA.
Averill, C., & Migliorini, J. (2003). Maximizing the effectiveness of classroom aides. Session presented at the Columbus Children’s Hospital Intensive Behavioral Intervention Clinic, Autism Center Conference: Practical Classroom Teaching Strategies for Children with Autism, Columbus, OH.
Wynn, J., Averill, C., & Migliorini, J. (2003). An intensive behavioral approach to feeding problems in children with autism. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, San Francisco, CA.
AWARDS
Autism Speaks Grant for Swim Lessons for Children with Autism
Autism Speaks Grant for Swim Lessons for Children with Autism
2010 Service and Leadership Student Award Kent State University, College and Graduate School of Education, Health, and Human Services
Domestic travel grant through Graduate Student Senate for research presentation
2010 Student Presenter Grant through the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis, San Antonio, TX
2009 Student Presenter Grant through the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis, Phoenix, AZ
2009 Awarded Grant through Graduate Student Senate for dissertation research
