Y.A.L.E. School Leaders Share Positive Results and Special Education Strategies at International Conference

Cherry Hill, NJ – Specialists in the area of child behavior from Y.A.L.E. School recently presented their work at the 43rd annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) in Denver Colorado, the largest gathering for behavior analysts in the world.

Amy Wasersztein, BCBA, M.A., and Chris Vonderschmidt, BCBA, M.A., are both certified behavior analysts at Y.A.L.E. School, a New Jersey state-approved private school on 11 campuses serving students with complex disabilities, including autism. They joined nearly 60,000 professionals from around the world at the prestigious, five-day event to learn about the latest research in the area of applied behavior analysis and to share strategies and best practices. Since 1974, the Association for Behavior Analysis International has been the primary membership organization for those interested in the philosophy, science, application and teaching of behavior analysis.

Attracting the interest of educators, researchers and academicians, the pair from Y.A.L.E. School presented a program entitled “Implementation of a School-wide Positive Behavior Supports Program in Alternative Settings.” In addition to sharing successful strategies, they also presented positive results from their work, including a decline in suspension and expulsion, and positive changes in student behavior and school culture.

“With our 40 year history, educators at Y.A.L.E. are pioneers in the field of special education, and as such, we have a responsibility to share our work with others. By presenting our findings and best practices to our international colleagues, we are able to benefit students worldwide,” said Vonderschmidt.

A graduate of Rider University and Johns Hopkins University, Vonderschmidt works with students who have autism spectrum disorders, as well as those with emotional and behavioral disabilities, at all of Y.A.L.E.’s 11 campus locations. Wasersztein, who concentrates her work at Y.A.L.E. School’s campuses in Voorhees, Philadelphia and Mullica, also works with students who have autism. She earned her graduate degree from Rowan University, and her undergraduate degree from Elizabethtown College.

Y.A.L.E. School is a state-approved private school serving students with autism spectrum disorder, Asperger’s syndrome, social learning challenges, ADHD and other disabilities. Since 1976, school districts and parents have relied on Y.A.L.E. to educate students who need more than public schools can offer. Today, 560 students with disabilities are placed by 80 area school districts, and attend at no cost to parents. For more information, go to www.yaleschool.com.