Ron Leaf Co-Director of Autism Partnership

Ron Leaf is a licensed psychologist who has over twenty-five years of experience in the field of autism. Dr. Leaf began his career working with Ivar Lovaas, while receiving his undergraduate degree at UCLA. Subsequently he received his doctorate under the direction of Dr. Lovaas. During his professional training at UCLA, he served as Clinic Supervisor, Research Psychologist, Lecturer, and Interim Director of the Young Autism Project. He was extensively involved in many of the Young Autism Project research investigations, contributed to The Me Book, and is co-author of The Me Book Videotapes, a series of instructional tapes offering training for teaching autistic children. He is co-author of A Work in Progress, a manual on behavioral treatment. Dr. Leaf has consulted nationally and internationally to families, school districts, day programs and residential treatment facilities. Dr. Leaf served as the Director of Straight Talk's Developmental Disabilities Services division for 15 years. This program provided residential and day treatment for adults with developmental disabilities. Dr. Leaf is also the Executive Director of Behavior Therapy and Learning Center, a mental health agency providing treatment, consultation and related services to parents, program staff and school personnel.

John McEachin   Co-Director of Autism Partnership

John McEachin is a licensed psychologist who has been providing behavioral intervention to children with autism as well as adolescents and adults with a wide range of developmental disabilities for more than 20 years. He received his graduate training under Professor Ivar Lovaas at UCLA on the Young Autism Project. During his 11 years at UCLA, Dr. McEachin served in various roles including Clinic Supervisor, Research and Teaching Assistant, Visiting Professor and Acting Director. His research has included the long-term follow-up study of young autistic children who received intensive behavioral treatment, which was published in 1993. Since receiving his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 1987 his work has included serving as Clinical Director of Developmental Disabilities Services, a division of Straight Talk in Signal Hill, California. Dr. McEachin has lectured throughout the world and consulted to numerous families and agencies, assisting in the development of treatment programs and providing training to parents, group home staff, and classroom personnel. In 1994 he joined with Ron Leaf in forming Autism Partnership, which they co-direct. They have recently co-authored a book on behavioral intervention for persons with autism, titled A Work in Progress.







© Autism Partnership
All rights reserved.