07/25/18
Randolph, Mass. — May Institute’s Robert F. Putnam, Ph.D., LABA, BCBA-D, was recently elected President of the Massachusetts Association of Applied Behavior Analysis (MassABA) at the Association’s annual meeting. Dr. Putnam is Executive Vice President of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports and Consultation for May Institute, and has served as President Elect of MassABA since June 2016.
[Read Dr. Putnam's bio.]
MassABA represents more than 1,000 ABA professionals, provides training and educational opportunities, and informs members about ABA practice developments in the Commonwealth.
ABA is the application of the science of behavior analysis to socially significant problems and concerns. ABA interventions have been found to be effective for increasing important skills such as communication, problem solving, and making and keeping friends as well as for reducing problem behavior such as tantrums and aggression. In fact, behavior analytic interventions are the only treatment approach with a significant body of empirical support documenting its effectiveness.
May Institute, a leading national provider of evidence-based services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs, has an international reputation for excellence in the field of ABA. It was the first nonprofit human services organization in the country to receive top national honors from both the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis (SABA) and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). May Institute has received the Outstanding Training Program Award from ABCT and the Award for Enduring Programmatic Contributions in Behavior Analysis from SABA.
In addition to his primary role at May Institute, Dr. Putnam holds a joint appointment as Senior Vice President of Research and Consultation at the National Autism Center at May Institute, and was an Expert Panelist on its National Standards Project. He serves as a national implementation partner with the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Program’s National Technical Assistance Center for PBIS (www.pbis.org). Dr. Putnam is also a member of the Executive Board of the National Association for Positive Behavior Support, and serves as its Treasurer.
“Bob has distinguished himself in the fields of positive behavior supports and applied behavior analysis,” said Lauren C. Solotar, Ph.D., ABPP, President and Chief Executive Officer of May Institute. “It is an honor for him and for May Institute that he has been elected President for the MassABA. We are proud of his accomplishments.”
A licensed psychologist and a certified health service provider, Dr. Putnam received his Ph.D. from Boston College. He has served on the faculty of the Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Putnam has given more than 100 presentations at schools and conferences relative to development and implementation of effective discipline, functional behavior assessment, and positive behavior support practices. He is widely published in this field, including recent articles in Behavior Modification, Child and Family Behavior Therapy, Journal of Positive Behavior Intervention, Behavior Analysis Today, Psychiatric Services, and Journal of Special Education Leadership. Dr. Putnam also coauthored a number of chapters around these topics.
He consults nationally and internationally in China, Canada, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Oman.
About May Institute
May Institute is a nonprofit organization that is a national leader in the field of applied behavior analysis, serving individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, brain injury and neurobehavioral disorders, and other special needs. Founded more than 60 years ago, we provide a wide range of exceptional educational and rehabilitative services across the lifespan. For more information, call 800.778.7601 or visit www.mayinstitute.org.
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