Dr. Jennifer M. Asmus

Jennifer M. Asmus, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
School Psychology
PhD, University of Iowa (1995)

Dr. Asmus joined the faculty in 2005 as an Associate Professor. She has received funding from the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate and remediate severe problematic behaviors and socially withdrawn behavior of children with Autism. Dr. Asmus is currently a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. Her teaching interests include applied behavior analysis, assessment and intervention for children with developmental disabilities, single-subject design, and evidenced-based practice.

Research Statement

“My research program is focused in the area of applied behavior analysis ( ABA) using single-subject research methodology. The focus of my work is to utilize functional analysis methodology in natural settings such as the classroom or home to develop interventions to assist children with behavioral difficulties. Most recently, I have conducted assessments to decrease problem behavior such as aggression or disruption and increase appropriate behaviors such as positive social interactions for children with Autism. The goal of my research is to replace problematic behaviors with more socially acceptable communication options so that ultimately increased opportunities for inclusion in general education settings will occur.”

Representative Publications (Last 5 years)

Conroy, M.C., Asmus, J.M., *Boyd, B.A., C.N. & *Sellers, J.A. (submitted/under review). An Analysis of Antecedent: Classroom Factors on th eBehaviors of Young Students with Autism in General Education Settings. Journal of Early Intervention. 35 ms. pages.

*Boyd, B.A., Conroy, M.C., Asmus, J.M., *McKenney, E.L.W., *Mancil, G.R. (submitted/under review). Descriptive Analysis of Classroom setting Events on the Social Behaviors of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Education and Training in Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. 31 ms. pages.

Conroy, M.C., Boyd, B.A., Asmus, J.M., & Madera, D. (in press). A Functional Approach for Ameliorating Social Skills Deficits in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Infants and Young Children.

Conroy, M.C., Asmus, J.M., Sellers, J.A., & Ladwig, C.N. (2005). The Use of an Antecedent-Based Intervention to Decrease Stereotypic Behavior in a General Education Classroom: A Case Study. Focus on Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 24, 223-230.

Asmus, J.M., Ringdahl, J.E., Sellers, J.A., Call, N.A., Andelman, M. S., & Wacker, D.P. (2004). Use of a short-term inpatient model to evaluate aberrant behavior at the University of Iowa: Outcomes data summaries from 1996-2001. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 37, 283-304.

Conroy, M.C., Asmus, J.M., Ladwig, C.N., Sellers, J.A., & Valcante, G. (2004). The Effects of Proximity on the Classroom Behaviors of Students with Autism in General Education Settings. Behavioral Disorders, 29, 119-129.

Asmus, J.M. (2003) Getting Funding from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; US Department of Education. Association for Behavior Analysis Newsletter, 26 (2), 6-7.

Asmus, J.M., Franzese, J.C., Conroy, M.A., & Dozier, C.L. (2003). Clarifying Functional Analysis Outcomes for Disruptive Behaviors by Controlling Consequence Delivery for Stereotypy. School Psychology Review, 32, 617-623.

Winborn, L., Wacker, D. P., Richman, D. R., Asmus, J. M., & Geier, D. (2002). Assessment of Mand Selection for Functional Communication Treatment Packages. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 35, 295-298.

Asmus, J.M., Vollmer, T.R., & Borrero, J.C. (2002). Functional behavioral assessment: A school-based model. Education and Treatment of Children,25, 67-90.

Richman, D.M., Wacker, D.P., Cooper-Brown, L.C., Kayser, K., Crosland, K., Stephens, T.J., & Asmus, J.M. (2001). Stimulus characteristics within directives: Effects on accuracy of task completion. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 34, 289-312.

Grants and Funded Projects (Last 5 Years)

PI: United States Department of Education – Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Directed Research Project, "Evidenced-based Practices to Address Social and Behavioral Problems in Young Children with Autism". #H324D020023-02; 2003-2006 ($540,000).

PI: University of Florida Opportunity Grant entitled “Social Skills Training for Children with Autism in General Education Classrooms” through the University of Florida 2002-2003 ($30,000).

Co-Investigator National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Developmental Grant for “Development of the Florida Autism Center of Excellence” 2001-2002 ($145,000).

Co-PI: University of Florida Opportunity Grant through the University of Florida with Dr. Tim Vollmer (PI) in the department of Psychology 2000-2001 ($30,000).

Co-PI: United States Department of Education – Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services Directed Research Project, "Investigation of Experimental Analyses and Contextual Variables across Home and School Settings to Facilitate Successful Inclusion for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders". #H32D990024; 1999-2002 ($540,000).

Contact Dr. Asmus:

Address: 316 Educational Sciences Building
Phone: (608) 262-3027
Email: asmus@wisc.edu