James W. Partington, Ph.D., LCP, BCBA-D
Senior Advising Behavior Analyst to ABA Midwest Education, Ltd.
Dr. Partington has been a professional-clinical mentor and supporter of Janice Pellecchia since 2002 in various capacities and across many settings.
Dr. Partington is the Executive Director of Behavior Analysts, Inc. in Pleasant Hills, California. He is a licensed psychologist in the state of California, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D), and has more than 40 years experience working with children with intellectual developmental delays. His expertise is in language-based intervention with children whose communication deficits are a result of autism and other related developmental disorders. Dr. Partington's work has rapidly expanded to various settings nationally and internationally. He is co-founder of an internationally recognized school, Strategic Training and Reinforcement Systems (STARS School) which specializes in language-based instruction for children with autism and other delays. Dr. Partingon has assisted many centers, schools and clinics in establishing similar systems to promote the quality delivery of ABA-VB therapy. Most noteworthy, Dr. Partington has bridged the gap between science and best applied practices through his assessments, books, and workshops. His internationally recognized accomplishments reflect his dedication to supporting children, families and autism practitioners.
Dr. Partington has been a faculty member of several universities including West Virginia University, University of San Francisco and St. Mary’s College. Dr. Partington is a former President of the Northern California Association for Behavior Analysis and has served as a member of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Dr. Partington has received several professional awards including the Public Service Award for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis in Florida, presented by the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis and the Award for "Effective Presentation of Behavior Analysis in the Mass Media" that was presented by the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis. He has served on the editorial review boards of the Analysis of Verbal Behavior, Education and Treatment of Children, and Behavioral Interventions, and has served as a guest reviewer for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Dr. Partington has numerous publications related to teaching strategies for children with disabilities. He is the author of The Assessment of Language and Learning Skills-Revised (The ABLLS™-R): An Assessment, Curriculum Guide and Skills Tracking System for Children with Autism or Other Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Partington has collected and shared normative data that demonstrates the reliability of the ABLLS -R through his website and more recent workshops over the years. The data collected and analyzed further demonstrates this assessment tool's value and furthermore reflects his comprehensive understanding of applied behavior analysis handed down to him by world leading experts such as Dr. Jon Bailey and later, Dr. Jack Michael. Additionally, he co-authored the famous book, Teaching Language to Children with Autism or Other Developmental Disabilities with Dr. Mark L. Sundberg. Dr. Partington's most recent contribution to children, families, and practitioners is "The Assessment of Functional Living Skills: Essential Skills for Independence at Home, School and in the Community" which was co-written with Michael M. Mueller, Ph.D., BCBA-D. The AFLS (TM) is yet another comprehensive guide and protocol to support programming that targets critical skills for independence and safety. .
ABA Midwest Eduacation, LTD recognizes the AFLS (TM) as a crucial tool in identifying areas for programming that relates to medical necessity. ABA Midwest Education, Ltd continues to be grateful for Dr. Partington's ongoing mentorship and support of its mission to support families and protect the integrity of the field of Applied Behavior Analysis as it continue to grow. ABA Midwest Education, LTD has been, and always will be a clinically driven service provider that has an ethical obligation to continue to learn and to pass along the great works of our teachers.
Marrea Winnega, Ph.D., LCP, BCBA
Senior Advising Behavior Analyst to ABA Midwest Education, Ltd.
Dr. Winnega, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of the Autism Service at the Institute for Juvenile Research in the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has completed coursework and clinical hours toward becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst under the supervision of Janice Pellecchia, M.A., BCBA. The focus of her formal experience and supervision with Janice was in in the area of teaching language to children and adults with autism spectrum disorders other disabilities (ABA/ “Verbal Behavior Approach”).
Dr. Winnega is the former site director for the Training Center at the University of Illinois Chicago (the TAP). She consults with schools, agencies, and CILAs serving individuals with autism spectrum disorders. She also conducts diagnostic assessments and holds workshops and training sessions on autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Winnega received both her Master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She completed her Clinical Psychology Internship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dr. Winnega is a former Autism Society of Illinois board member and former chair of the Professional Advisory Committee. She is the former Consultant on Autism and Related Disorders for the A.E.R.O. Special Education Cooperative in Burbank, Illinois. She has conducted numerous workshops and developed a university computer course on autism spectrum disorders.
David A. Pyles, Ph.D., LCP, BCBA-D
Senior Advising Behavior Analyst to ABA Midwest Education, Ltd.
Dr. David A. Pyles, PhD, BCBA-D received his PhD in Psychology, with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis in 1992 from the Florida State University. He has since served as Senior Behavior Analyst at Howe Center and as a Senior Behavior Analyst for the Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Pyles developed behavior analytic policies and systems, and peer reviews, established standards of practice, and consulted on difficult cases presenting severely challenging and dangerous behaviors. During his time as Senior Behavior Analyst, he was instrumental in establishing the Behavior Analyst job series for the state, and in the State’s formal recognition of the Board Certified Behavior Analyst credential, which greatly increased the number of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) in Illinois. Dr. Pyles chaired the Psychology Task Force, which developed policies and provided oversight of behavioral systems, and conducted peer reviews in all nine of Illinois’ developmental centers.
In 2004, Dr. Pyles helped found the Department of Applied Behavior Analysis at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, which established a campus in Los Angeles, CA in 2008. He is currently an Associate Professor of Psychology at the LA campus. Dr. Pyles has taught many courses in behavior analysis, and has supervised numerous graduate students in their practica and research projects. His current research and clinical interests include integrating behavior analytic practice with psychopharmacology; behavior analysis in sports and fitness; consulting and supervision; developing behavior analytic systems; organizational behavior management; severe behavior disorders; functional assessment and intervention; and teaching behavior analysis. Dr. Pyles is on the editorial board of Behavior Analysis in Sports, Health, and Fitness, and has published book chapters and research in professional journals.
Dr. Pyles is a doctoral level Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and is a licensed clinical psychologist in Illinois and California disorders.
In 2004, Dr. Pyles helped found the Department of Applied Behavior Analysis at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, which established a campus in Los Angeles, CA in 2008. He is currently an Associate Professor of Psychology at the LA campus. Dr. Pyles has taught many courses in behavior analysis, and has supervised numerous graduate students in their practica and research projects. His current research and clinical interests include integrating behavior analytic practice with psychopharmacology; behavior analysis in sports and fitness; consulting and supervision; developing behavior analytic systems; organizational behavior management; severe behavior disorders; functional assessment and intervention; and teaching behavior analysis. Dr. Pyles is on the editorial board of Behavior Analysis in Sports, Health, and Fitness, and has published book chapters and research in professional journals.
Dr. Pyles is a doctoral level Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and is a licensed clinical psychologist in Illinois and California.