Professional Activities

Educational History

1984 B.A. Scripps College, Claremont, California

1986 M.A. University of California, San Diego

1993 Ph.D. University of California, San Diego

Major area: applied behavior analysis
Minor areas: child development, neuropsychology, and health psychology.

Research and Clinical Experience

1996-present Licensed Psychologist.

Private practice specializing in assessment and treatment of children with autism, Asperger’s, and Pervasive Developmental Disorders and their families; one-on-one behavioral intervention utilizing Pivotal Response Training, social skills training, and Applied Behavior Analysis; psychotherapy including cognitive behavior therapy, Floor Time, and play therapy; parent training for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders and other childhood disorders; psychological evaluations; groups for siblings of children with autism and Asperger’s; observation and evaluation of school programs; coordination of therapy and medication regimen with treating neurologist/psychiatrist; consultation with school, speech, and occupational therapy services.

1996-2001 Nonpublic Agency.

Individual behavioral intervention for children with autism and related disorders, training and supervising of instructional aides in Pivotal Response Training, Floor Time, social skills training , and pre-academics/academics, curriculum modification and accommodations, support to teachers .

1996-1997 Consultant. HOPE Infant Program.

Consultation and training for staff on Pivotal Response Training, consultation and training for individual children’s programs.

1990-1996 Psychological Assistant. San Diego Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled. Supervisor: Harry Eisner, Ph.D. (10/92-3/96). Supervisor: Lynne Gregory, Ph.D. (4/90-10/92).

Psychological evaluation of children with developmental disabilities and children at risk for developmental disabilities, behavior modification consultation with parents of children with developmental disabilities, parent training groups for families, participation on several interdisciplinary teams, educational consultation for children with autism.

Experience administering: Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale: Fourth Edition, Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale (Form L-M), Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III, Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Second Edition, Merrill-Palmer Scale of Mental Tests, Leiter International Performance Scale, Beery Test of Visual-Motor Integration, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Peabody Individual Achievement Test-Revised, Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Gilliam Autism Rating Scale.

1990-1993 Independent Research. University of California, San Diego.
Thesis adviser: Laura Schreibman, Ph.D.

Investigation of the effect of participation in a sibling training program on typical siblings of children with autism or pervasive developmental disorders; sibling groups to educate children about the disorders, give children an opportunity to share their experiences, and teach children behavioral procedures to stimulate language within a play context; utilization of research tools including direct observation and interviews with both parents and siblings; assessment of siblings’ behavior problems using Achenbach’s Child Behavior Checklist

1984-1990 Research Assistant. University of California, San Diego.
Adviser: Laura Schreibman, Ph.D.

Behavior therapy with children with autism, parent training with parents of children with autism, psychological and behavioral assessment of children with autism, parent training with parents of children with developmental disabilities, experimental analysis of behavior, Pivotal Response Training, Discrete Trial Training.

1984-1985 Laboratory Assistant. University of California , San Diego.
Supervisor: Jean Mandler, Ph.D.

Conducted research on cognitive development in infants in investigating the development of sequencing abilities in young children .

1983-1984 Research Assistant. Claremont McKenna College.
Supervisor: Laura Schreibman Ph.D.

Behavior therapy with children with autism, experimental analysis of behavior, Pivotal Response Training, Discrete Trial Training.

1983 Laboratory Assistant. Scripps College.
Supervisor: Alan Hartley, Ph.D.

Conducted research on cognitive processes in older adults measuring memory and problem-solving abilities.

1980-1983 Preschool teacher. Town and Country School. Pasadena, California. Summer sessions.

Publications

Oke, N. J. (doctoral dissertation). A group training program for siblings of children with autism: acquisition of language training procedures and related behavior changes.

Oke, N. J.& Schreibman, L. (1990). Training social initiations to a high functioning autistic child: assessment of collateral behavior change and generalization in a case study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 20, 479-497.

Schreibman, L., Oke, N. J., & Ploog, B.O. (1989). Behavioral assessment with chronic schizophrenia and autism. In J. L. Matson (Ed.), Chronic Schizophrenia and Adult Autism: Issues in Diagnosis, Assessment, and Psychological Treatment (pp. 181-229). New York: Springer.

Schreibman, L., Ploog, B. O., & Oke, N. J. (1988). Autism: a case in preadolescence. In M. Hersen & C. G. Last (Eds.), Child Behavior Therapy Casebook (pages 141-163). New York: Plenum.

Presentations at Annual Professional Meetings

Oke, N. J. (1994). A group training program for siblings of children with autism: acquisition of language training procedures and related behavior changes. Paper presented at the annual conference of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, San Diego, California.

Oke N. J. (1993). Training siblings of children with autism: Acquisition of skills and collateral increase in sibling interaction. Paper presented at the annual conference of the Northern California Association for Behavior Analysis, Oakland , California.

Oke N. J., Loos, L., & Schreibman, L. (1989). Elimination of inappropriate responding to questions and commands through acquisition of generalized verbal responses. Paper presented at the annual convention of the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, Washington, D.C.

Oke N. J. & Schreibman, L. (1988). The effects of social initiations on an autistic child’s social behavior: Generalization and collateral behavior change. Paper presented at the annual convention of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, New York.

Schreibman, Oke N. J., Mills, D., & Ploog, B. O. (1986). Behavioral group training for siblings of autistic children. Paper presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.

Schreibman, L., Mills, D., & Oke N. J. (1984). Intermittent contingent consequences in promoting generalization in autistic children. Paper presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada.

Mills, D., Schreibman, L. & Oke N. J. (1983). Semantic relationships and receptive labeling acquisition in autistic children. Paper presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association, Anaheim California.

Presentations and Workshops

“Meeting the Needs of Siblings of Children with Autism” TACA Talk About Curing Autism Support Group, San Diego, California, February 2010.

“Behavioral Interventions for the Treatment of Autism .” TACA Talk About Curing Autism Support Group, San Diego, California, October 2009.

“Utilizing Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Treat Children with High Functioning Autism and Asperger’s” San Diego Chapter of the Autism Society of America, San Diego, California, October 2006.

“Early Indicators of Autism Spectrum Disorders” Conference: Initial Evaluation and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Children’s Hospital and Health Center, San Diego, California, April 2005.

“Utilizing Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Treat Children with High Functioning Autism and Asperger’s” Conference: North County Chapter of the Autism Society of America, San Diego, California, September 2004.

“Meeting the Needs of Students with Autism and Asperger’s” San Altos Parent Group, San Diego, California, April, 2004.

“Siblings of Children with Special Needs” San Diego Armed Services YMCA, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California, 2004.

“Meeting the Needs of Siblings of Children with Autism” Understanding Autism Together, Armed Services Autism Support Group, San Diego, California, November 1999.

“Sibling Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Autism and Asperger’s” North County Autism Society, La Costa, California, October 1999.

“Greenspan’s Floor Time” Families for Effective Autism Treatment, San Marcos, California, March 1999.

“Integrating Pivotal Response Training, Discrete Trial Training, and the Picture Exchange Communication System to Provide a Comprehensive Behavioral Program for Children with Autism” San Diego Chapter of the Autism Society of America, San Diego, California, March 1997.

“The Communicative Function of Problem Behaviors .” South County Autism Society, Chula Vista, California, January 1997.

“Behavioral Interventions for the Treatment of Autism .” San Diego Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled, San Diego, California, November 1996.

“Behavioral Interventions for Children with Autism .” South County Autism Society, Chula Vista, California, November 1996.

Peer Support for Children with Autism .” North County Autism Society, Encinitas, California, October 1996.

“Behavioral Interventions for Children with Autism” East County SELPA, San Diego, California, April 1996.

“Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Inclusion, and Behavior as Communication” Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church Preschool, San Diego, California, March 1996.

“Assessment and Behavioral Strategies for Children 0 to 3.” San Diego Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled, San Diego, California, February 1996.

“Screening and Assessment of Infants with Developmental Disabilities .” San Diego State University, San Diego, California, October 1995.

“A Panel of Adults with Autism, Siblings, and Professionals.” Conference: Autism: Educating Parents and Professionals presented by the North County Chapter of the Autism Society of America, La Jolla, California, March 1995.

“Sibshop” A Group for Siblings of Children with Disabilities. San Diego Regional Center/Exceptional Family Resource Center, San Marcos, California, February 1995.

“Behavioral Strategies for Preschool Children with Autism .” La Mesa/Spring Valley school District, La Mesa, California, November 1994.

“Behavioral Strategies for Preschool Children with Developmental Delays” La Mesa/Spring Valley school District, La Mesa, California April 1994.

“Utilizing Pivotal Response Training to Teach Language, Complex Play Skills, and Social Interaction Skills to Children with Autism .” FEAT (Families for Effective Autism Treatment), Sacramento, California, March 1994.

“Meeting the Unique Needs of Siblings” Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Support Group, Children’s Hospital and Health Center, San Diego, California, April 1993.

“Functional Analysis of Behavior to Address Behavioral Deficits and Excesses in Children with Autism” University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, December 1992.

“Autism and Mental Retardation: Diagnostic Criteria, Etiology and Treatment” University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, May 1992.

“Meeting the Special Needs of Siblings” San Diego County PDD/Autism Parents Support Group, San Diego, California, December 1991.

“Siblings of Autistic and Autistic-like Children: Problems, Concerns, and Techniques to Address Their Needs .” Involved Exceptional Parents Day, San Diego , California March 1991.

“Teaching Language to Children with Autism” San Diego State University, San Marcos, California, 1989.

“Teaching Language to Autistic Children” California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego, California, January 1989.

“Behavioral Treatment of Autism” California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego, California, January 1988.

“Behavioral Treatment of Autism” San Diego State University, San Marcos, California, 1988.

“Autism” Training and Education for Retarded Individuals, Inc., Oceanside, California, 1987.

Teaching Experience

1996 Lecturer. University of California, San Diego.

Course: Behavior Modification. Course in behavior modification with an emphasis on utilizing these principles with clinical populations.

1986-1992 Teaching Assistant. University of California, San Diego.

Course: Cognitive Development in Infancy. Assisted with construction and grading of tests, assisted with grading of research proposals, preparation and delivery of review sessions.

Course: Introduction to Principles of Behavior. Assisted with construction and grading of tests . Presentation of lecture material, review of lecture and text material with students..

Course: Abnormal Psychology. Assisted with construction and grading of tests, presentation of lecture material, review of lecture and text material with students.

Course: General Psychology: Behavioral and Social Foundations. Assisted with construction and grading of tests, preparation and delivery of review sessions.

Course: Learning and Motivation/Laboratory in Operant Psychology. Assisted with grading of tests and research papers, preparation and delivery of material for sections.

Course: Behavior Modification. Assisted with construction and grading of tests, preparation and delivery of review sessions, presentation of lecture material.

Course: Psychological Disorders of Childhood. Assisted with construction and grading of tests, preparation and delivery of review sessions, presentation of lecture material.

Interests and Activities .

June 2010-present Parent Mentor Program Coordinator, The Autism Tree Project Foundation

March 2010 –Sept 2011 Grant Committee Chair, The Autism Tree Project Foundation

January 2006 –present Diagnostic Committee Chair, The Autism Tree Project Foundation

June 2002-June 2006 Board Member, San Diego County Chapter of the Autism Society of America

2003-present Honorary Committee Member , The Autism Tree Project Foundation

Clinical Interests

Psychological evaluation and intervention with children with autism, Asperger’s and Pervasive Developmental Disorders; developmental disabilities, neurological disorders, and psychological disorders of childhood; behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, Pivotal Response Training, Floor Time, applied behavior analysis, Picture Exchange Communication System, and play therapy; cognitive behavior therapy group for children with high functioning autism and Asperger’s, social skills groups; meeting the needs of siblings of children with autism and developmental disabilities; parent training as a means of extending intervention into the home; parent training groups.