A Practical Guide to Functional Assessment and Treatment for Severe Problem Behavior

Dr. Joshua Jessel completed his master’s degree at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County where he worked with individuals who exhibited severe problem behavior on the neurobehavioral inpatient unit of the Kennedy Krieger Institute. He went on to earn his doctoral degree at Western New England University with his primary research focusing on the assessment and treatment of problem behavior with autistic children. Dr. Jessel continued to extend this line of research as a postdoctoral fellow at a clinic in Texas where he oversaw nearly 100 children admitted to an outpatient program. Dr. Jessel has currently authored over 50 research articles and chapters and continues his scholarship as an assistant professor at Queens College in New York City.

I have worked with children and adults with developmental disabilities for over 30 years as a volunteer; camp counselor; researcher; clinical psychologist in the British National Health Service; Chief Psychologist in developmental centers in Texas; consultant for many community services; and consultant to the states of Louisiana and Wyoming. I have been involved in professional training in Britain, Louisiana State University and now Queens College. It has always struck me that children and adults with developmental disabilities would have a better life, be happier, more autonomous and valued by other people if their staff and family members got a little help to do few simple things –interact positively and often, use contingent reinforcement accurately, teach a few simple skills and be more sensitive to preferences. I also believe that if these happened consistently, staff and family members would feel more competent.