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Eden Autism Assistant Director of Clinical Services Lisa Toole appointed to State Board of Applied Behavior Analyst Examiners

Eden Autism is proud to announce that Lisa Toole, M.A., BCBA, Assistant Director of Clinical Services, was appointed by Governor Murphy to the initial State Board of Applied Behavior Analyst Examiners.

Lisa Toole

The State Board of Applied Behavior Analyst Examiners is composed of six esteemed professionals who will be responsible for writing the regulations and issuing licenses in accordance with the Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Act which was signed into law in January 2020.

“The importance of the State Board of Applied Behavior Analyst Examiners cannot be overstated. Governor Murphy’s recognition of the contributions Lisa will make to ensuring the wellbeing of individuals and families who receive ABA services is a source of pride for Eden,” said Eden Autism President & CEO Michael Decker.

In collaboration with the State Division of Consumer of Affairs, the board will regulate the practice of applied behavior analysis, take action against the improper, unauthorized, or unqualified practice of applied behavior analysis, and guard against unprofessional conduct by the licensed individuals who practice applied behavior analysis.

“It is an honor and privilege to serve the profession and to help move this forward for all practitioners in the state,” said Toole. “This is a really important step in terms of protection for our families and consumers of ABA services, and for organizations that offer them. With the licensure law, you can make sure that the practitioners across the state have the appropriate training and meet certain standards to be able to practice ABA.”

Toole has over 20 years’ experience in evidence-based behavioral and functional analysis/intervention, and programming for individuals with developmental disabilities and autism. Before joining Eden in 2020, Toole was a Behavior Analyst for Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center Outreach and held several positions within the Department of Behavioral Psychology at the Kennedy Krieger Institute.

In addition, she is certified in the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), is a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Maryland Association for Behavior Analysis, and the New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis. Lisa has authored or co-authored nine professional publications in peer-reviewed journals, one book chapter, and 65 professional presentations at national and international conferences.