Cynthia M. Anderson, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Dr. Anderson is the Senior Vice President of Applied Behavior Analysis for May Institute. She holds a joint appointment as Director of May Institute’s National Autism Center.

Dr. Anderson provides consultation and support to clinical staff supporting individuals exhibiting challenging behavior such as self-injury, aggression, and property destruction. In addition, she also promotes research in and dissemination of evidence-based practices through the National Autism Center.

Dr. Anderson received her Ph.D. in Clinical-Child Psychology from West Virginia University. She is a licensed psychologist and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the doctoral level.

The author of numerous articles published in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, and the Journal of Behavioral Education, Dr. Anderson has focused her research on the development and evaluation of interventions for children with or at risk for developmental disabilities. Her research is organized around functional behavior assessments and function-based support; multi-tiered interventions within school settings; and factors necessary for high fidelity and sustained implementation of evidence-based practice. She has a strong interest in bringing interventions determined to be effective in clinical settings to children in home and school settings.

Dr. Anderson’s research has been supported by federal funding, and she is currently a Principal Investigator for “Students with Autism Accessing General Education,” a 3-year, $1.5M grant funded by the Department of Education’s Institute for Education Sciences. This multi-site project is conducted in collaboration with researchers at University of South Florida and University of Rochester Medical Center. Previous funding came from the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs.

Dr. Anderson currently serves as the Applied Representative on the Executive Council of the Association for Behavioral Analysis International, and is the Representative at Large for Division 25 of the American Psychological Association. She has provided editorial support to numerous journals including serving as Associate Editor for School Psychology Review and Journal of Behavioral Education, and on the editorial boards of Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, The Behavior Analyst, and other journals.

Meet the National Autism Center’s Executive and Clinical Leadership

Cynthia M. Anderson, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Senior Vice President of Applied Behavior Analysis, May Institute
Director of the National Autism Center

Lauren C. Solotar, Ph.D., ABPP
President and CEO, May Institute

Karie DePaolo, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Assistant Director, National Autism Center at May Institute

Michael Tobin, CPA
Chief Financial Officer

Debra Blair, M.B.A., CMA, CPA
Chief Operating Officer

Robert F. Putnam, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Senior Vice President of Research and Consultation

Jennifer Zarcone, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Chief Clinical Officer

Eileen G. Pollack, M.A.
Senior Vice President of Communications and Philanthropy