Daniel W. Mruzek, Ph.D.

• We interviewed Dr. Mruzek on the air on December 15, 2010.

Credentials

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Doctoral level
• MA (1992) and PhD (1996) in Psychology from Ohio State University.
• BA in Psychology from University of Toledo (1987)
• Associate Professor - Department of Pediatrics, Neurodevelopmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center.
• Member of the Board of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) ("Real Science, Real Hope").
• Father of four sons.

Behaviorism and Behavior Modification

"Interview with a Board Member: Daniel W. Mruzek, PhD, BCBA-D"

"Carry a token board everywhere you go."

"Be a scientist. Use the scientific method as a way of organizing your service to others. Analyze. Synthesize. Hypothesize. Test. Evaluate data. See your work in the context of the efforts of the broader scientific community."

"We know that testimonials are an exceptionally good way to push a product but an exceptionally poor way to discover the truth."

Definitions

In this section, I have quoted the Association for Science in Autism Treatment verbatim, but have reformatted their paragraphs or added emphasis to make various items stand out.

Association for Science in Autism Treatment, "About Autism."

Autism is a complex neurobehavioral disorder characterized by

1. impairment in reciprocal social interaction,
2. impairment in communication, and
3. the presence of repetitive and stereotypic patterns of behaviors, interests, and activities.

The onset of symptoms is typically before the age of 3 years. The severity of impairment in the given domains as well as the pattern of impairments varies from individual to individual; that is why diagnosticians refer to a “spectrum” of disability.

Impairment in social interactions ranges from

1. difficulty initiating and maintaining interaction,
2. impaired ability to recognize and experience emotions, and
3. difficulty processing and appreciating the thoughts and feelings of others.

Communication deficits range from no useful form of communication to very advanced language abilities, but little ability to use language in a social manner.

Repetitive and stereotypic behaviors include

1. perseverative behaviors such as complex rituals,
2. extreme difficulty adapting to change and transition, and
3. unusual movements such as hand flapping or whirling.

Autism is one diagnosis within the larger category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders described in the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision edition (DSM-IV, TR). Autism, along with related, but slightly different disorders of Aspergers Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified, constitute the conditions commonly referred to as the Autism Spectrum Disorders. Two rare disorders, Rett Syndrome (a genetic disorder) and Disintegrative Disorder of Childhood are the other currently recognized pervasive developmental disorders.

Once thought to be very rare, autism spectrum disorders are estimated to occur in an many as 1:88 (one in every 88 people).

Links

• Autism Society of America.
• Contact Information
• "Developing a Toilet-Training Method Using a Moisture Pager for Children with Autism."
• Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT).
  • ASAT Research Synopses.