Dr. Alter's curriculum vita

Educational Background

• Ph.D. Special Education, University of Florida
• M.A. Special Education, University of North Florida
• B.A. Philosophy, Furman University

Teaching Areas

• Learning and Behavior Disorders
• Classroom Management
• Assessment
• Single Subject Methodology
• Applied Behavior Analysis

Research Interests

• Students with Learning Behavior Disorders
• Classroom Management
• Positive Behavior Support (PBS)
• Functional Behavior Assessment
• Single Subject Research
• Early Childhood Special Education

Professional Activities

• Improving Functional Behavior Assessments: Comparing Descriptive Assessment Methodologies with Functional Analysis
• Evaluating the Technical Adequacy of Existing Functional Behavior Assessments
• Math Problem Solving Strategies for Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: A Single Subject Research Study
• Carl Fenichel Memorial Research Award for Outstanding Dissertation in the area of emotional and behavioral disorders

Honors and Awards

• Carl Fenichel Memorial Research Award 2006
• Alumni Fellowship, University of Florida
• Partners in Doctoral Preparation: A Unified Leadership Program in Early Childhood Special Education and School Psychology, University of Florida

Professional Memberships

• Council for Exceptional Children; Division of Early Childhood; Teacher Education Division
• Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders
• International Association of Special Education

Selected Publications

• Mancil, G.R., Conroy, M.A., Alter, P.J. & Nakao, T. (2006) Functional Communication Training in the natural environment: A pilot investigation with a young child with autism spectrum disorder. Education and Treatment of Children, 29, 615-634.
• Boyd, B.A. Conroy, M Mancil, G.R., Nakeo, T. & Alter, P.J. (2006). Effects of circumscribed interests on the social behaviors of children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Manuscript in press.
• Boyd, B.A., Alter, P.J., Conroy, M.A. (2004). Using their interests: A different strategy for improving the social skills of young children with Autism. Beyond Behavior. 14, 3-9