Department of Counseling, Clinical & School Psychology

Office Number:
  Education 2125

Phone Number:
  (805) 893-8136

E-mail:
  education.ucsb.edu koegel

Robert Koegel

Professor, Ph.D. (University of California, Los Angeles)

Emphasis:
Clinical Psychology, Special Education, Disabilities & Risk Studies

Research Interests:
Autism; Behavior management; Severe behavior problems; Stress in families with children with severe disabilities; Interdisciplinary human development

Biography:
I teach courses in the Department of Counseling/Clinical/School Psychology and in the Special Education, Disabilities and Risk Studies Emphasis. My primary teaching is in the area of childhood autism, experimental designs suited for clinical intervention research, and principles of behavior management for psychologists. I also am the Director of the UCSB Koegel Autism Center, a national center for clinical, home, and school intervention research. Some of the research projects that have resulted in significant gains for individuals with autism include development of treatment techniques focused on "pivotal behaviors" such as improved communication, self-management, and motivation, so that such individuals can reach their full potential, experience maximal community and school integration, and enhance the overall quality of their lives, and the lives of their family. The center provides research and clinical services for children with autism, their families, and schools. Graduate and undergraduate students participate directly in these activities as part of supervised practicum experiences, and as part of their research. The center is funded by a number of sources, including the state of California, federal research and training grants from the National Institute of Mental Health and the United States Department of Education, and private donations.

My Bachelors degree was awarded in psychology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison; my M.A. and Ph.D. degrees were awarded in developmental and clinical psychology from UCLA. My advisor was Dr. Ivar Lovaas, who first interested me in the treatment of children with autism. Since I have come to UCSB, I have focused my research on the identification of pivotal behaviors that result in efficient, intensive interventions for individuals with autism. These interventions do not rely on aversives (previously used frequently with this population), and promote intervention in least restrictive environments in school, home and community settings.

I am the Editor of the "Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions." The Journal has the following major missions: to meaningfully translate research to practice; to report successful and replicable demonstrations in family, school, and community environments; and to report significant empirical advances in intervention development.

Recent Publications:
Koegel, L.K., Robinson, S., & Koegel, R.L. Empirically supported intervention practices for autism spectrum disorders in school and community settings: Issues and practices. In Sailor, Dunlap, Sugai & Horner (Eds.), Handbook of Positive Behavior Support (pp.149-176). 2009. [Book Chapter]

Koegel, R.L, Vernon, T.W., & Koegel, L.K. Improving social engagement in young children with autism using embedded social reinforcement. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorder. 2009. [Refereed Journal Article]

Koegel, L.K, Koegel, R.L., Werner, G., & Fredeen, R.M. Naturalistic behavioral approaches to treatment. In K. Chawarska, A. Klin, & F.R. Volkmar (Eds.), Autism Spectrum Disorders in Infants and Toddlers: Diagnosis, Assessment, and Treatment (pp.207-242). New York, NY: Guilford Press. 2008. [Book Chapter]

Koegel,R.L., Koegel,L.K., Cosden,M., Greenwell,A., & Klein, E. Strength-based assessment for children with autism spectrum disorders. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 31(2), 134-143. 2007. [Refereed Journal Article]

Bryson, S.E., Koegel, L.K, Koegel, R.L., Openden, D., Smith, I.M., & Nefdt, N. Large Scale Dissemination and Community Implementation of Pivotal Response Treatment: Program Description and Preliminary Data. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 32(2), 142-153. 2007. [Refereed Journal Article]

Awards and Honors:
First Annual Sesame Street Children's Television Workshop Award for Brightening the Lives of Children, 2009

Affiliations:
American Psychological Association - Fellow