Amanda Guld Fisher, PhD, BCBA-D | PCOM School of Psychology Faculty
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AMANDA GULD FISHER, PHD, BCBA-D
Professor

Amanda Guld Fisher, PhD, BCBA-D, is a certified behavior analyst (doctoral level) and is currently a professor in the School of Professional and Applied Psychology at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Fisher earned her master's degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and her doctorate in Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education from the Ohio State University. Amanda first received her board certification in behavior analysis in March of 2007.

Dr. Fisher worked as an ABA therapist for a young child diagnosed with autism during a college internship and fell in love with the field. Upon completion of graduate school, Dr. Fisher worked as an educational consultant with the May Institute consulting with schools and families at both the systems level (e.g., schoolwide positive behavior support) and the individual level (e.g., individualized education programs and behavior plans). Dr. Fisher later served as a behavior analyst and then the director of professional development, training and research at Melmark where she directed the internal clinical training of staff, coordinated internships and BCBA supervision, coordinated research, served as a senior clinician for a caseload of children, and coordinated a six–course, BACB-approved certificate program taught at Melmark through Temple University.

Dr. Fisher entered academia full-time in 2014 and for seven years taught and coordinated the ABA graduate and undergraduate programs at Temple University. In this role, Dr. Fisher taught courses, supervised practica, designed curriculum changes and new programs, advised masters theses, etc.

Dr. Fisher has professional and research interests in stimulus equivalence, analysis of verbal behavior, higher education teaching strategies, feeding disorders, functional assessment and treatment of challenging behavior, staff training and supervision, parent and community outreach and advocacy, and systems level interventions.

Education

  • MA in Psychology - University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education - The Ohio State University

Courses

  • SPSY 527 Ethics, Law and Professional Practice
  • SPSY 619 Consultation and Collaboration in Educational Settings
  • SPSY 526 Single Case Experimental Design
  • SPSY 551 Practicum: Functional Assessment
  • SEDP 790 Qualifying Seminar

Awards

Dr. Fisher was recently honored with an award as an Outstanding Graduate Mentor at Temple University for her advising and mentoring of graduate students.

Boards and Officer Positions
  • Applied Behavior Analysis in PA, Legislative Leadership Team – 2018-present
  • Association for Science in Autism Treatment, Faculty Liaison 2017-present
  • Philadelphia Metropolitan Board Member, 2019-present
  • iHi Advisory Committee Board: Clinical and Research Advisor, 2015 – present
  • Teaching Behavior Analysis ABAI SIG, secretary, board member 2016 - present
  • Philadelphia Metropolitan ABA (formerly DVABA), president, 2015-2019
  • Association for Science in Autism Treatment, Clinical Coordinator, 2013 to 2017
  • Association for Science in Autism Treatment, Website Content Coordinator, 2013
  • Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association, board member 2016-2018
  • Education Board for the Association of Behavior Analysis, rep, 2005-2008
Honors and Awards
  • Graduate Advising/Mentoring Award, College of Education, Temple Univ, 2019
  • Certificate of Professional Development in College Teaching, OSU, 2008
  • Antoinette Lowry Barr Scholarship, OSU, 2007
  • Huelsman Scholarship; Hathaway Scholarship, OSU, 2006
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, Education Department, OSU, 2006
  • Zuck Scholarship, OSU, 2005
  • SABA student presenters award, ABA Conference, 2005, 2007
  • Graduate Scholarship, UNCW, 2004
  • Who’s Who Chancellor’s List, 2004-2007
  • Departmental Honors, Appalachian State University, 2003
  • Dean’s List Appalachian State University 1999-2003
  • Chancellor’s List 2002
  • Sigma Kappa National Philanthropic Award Theta Alpha Chapter, 2002
  • Community Service Award Panhellenic Council, 2002
  • Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and College, 2003

Publications

Published Book

Kendorski, J.G. & Fisher, A.G. (2018). Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Evidence-based Assessment and Intervention. Invited Book in Series on Childhood Psychiatric Disorders, New York, NY: Momentum Press.

Publications

Dowdy, A., Tincani, M., & Fisher, A.G. (2020). Interrater reliability and convergent
validity of the trial-based functional analysis. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-020-00174-7

Tincani, M. & Fisher, A.G. (2018). Review of Behavioral Principles
in Communicative Disorders by Maul, Findley, and Adams. Perspectives on
Behavior Science, 41, 303-308.

Burckley, B., Tincani, M., Fisher, A.G. (2014). An iPad-based Picture and Video
Activity Schedule Increases Community Shopping Skills of a Young Adult with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 0, 1-6.

Perrin, C.J., Guld, A.E., Weiss, M.J. (2012). An overview of strategies to address food selectivity and refusal in individuals with autism. Autism Spectrum News, 4(3), 8-28.

Guld, A.E. (2012). Applied Behavior Analysis: A resource for intellectual and developmental disabilities. Southeastern Education Network magazine, 14, 89-91.

Neef, N. A., Cihon, T. M., Kettering, T., Guld, A., Axe, J., Itoi, M., & DeBar, R.
(2007). A comparison of study session formats on attendance and quiz performance in a college course. Journal of Behavioral Education, 16, 235-249.

Paper Presentations, Symposia, and Workshops

Paranczak, K.N. & Fisher, A.G. (2020) An Evaluation of a Lag Schedule of
Reinforcement and Progressive Time Delay on Mand Variability. Symposium presented at the annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International virtually.

Weber, M., Fisher, A.G., Kendorski, J.G., Tresco, K.E. (2020) Behavior change without
shame: Behavioral interventions in trauma informed care. Miniskills Workshop presented at the annual convention of the National Association of School Psychologists in Baltimore, MD.

Fisher, A.G. (2019). Functional Behavioral Assessment and Function-Based
Interventions for Problem Behavior. Invited Workshop for America Paradigm Charter Schools.

Tierney-Aves, C. & Fisher, A.G. (2018). The BAT ACT: Licensing Behavior Analysts
in Pennsylvania. Invited presentation to Philly Metro ABA Chapter.

Fisher, A.G. (2018). Recent Applications in Stimulus Equivalence-Based Instruction.
Invited webinar presenter for Behavior University.

Fisher, A.G. (2018). Assessing Language with the VB-MAPP. Invited workshop for
AVEANNA staff training.

Fisher, A.G. (2018). Teaching Language Using Skinner’s Analysis of Verbal Behavior.
Invited workshop for AVEANNA staff training.

Fredrick, A., Tomon, K., Vondershmidt, C., Fisher, A.G., Burckley, E., Turner, J.
(2017). Implementation of a School Wide Positive Behavior Support Program in Alternative Settings. Symposium presented at the annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International in Denver, CO.

Fisher, A.G. (2017). Best Practices in Assessment and Intervention for Children with
Autism Spectrum Disorder. Invited presentation for Autism Event sponsored by Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association.

Ziegler, D., Hornstein, S., Fisher, A.G. (2017). Teaching Adolescents with Autism to
Order in a Fast Food Restaurant Using Least to Most Prompting Symposium presented at the annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International in Denver, CO.

Fisher, A.G. (2017). Best Practices in Supervision of Staff. Invited workshop to Nexus
School.

Fisher, A.G. (2016). Applied Behavior Analysis. Invited presentation to Community
Behavioral Health of Philadelphia.

Fisher, A.G. (2015). Characteristics of Exceptional Children and Strategies for
Successful Engagement in Youth Group Activities. Invited presentation for Wayne Presbyterian Church.

Fisher, A.G. (2014). Improving Treatment Integrity through Evidence-Based Staff
Training and Supervision. Invited presentation for the Southeastern Association for Behavior Analysis

Fisher, A.G. (2014). Improving Treatment Integrity through Evidence-Based Staff
Training and Supervision. Invited presentation for the Association for Behavior Analysis – Australia.

Fisher, A.G. & Weiss, M.J. (2014). Selecting a Communication Modality for Nonvocal
Learners. Three-hour workshop presented at Melmark New England Expert Speaker Series, Andover MA.

Debery, G., Sniezyk, C., & Fisher, A.G. (2013). BCBA Supervision in Service Delivery
Agencies. Symposium presented at the annual conference for the New York Association for Behavior Analysis, Saratoga Springs, NY.

Weiss, M.J., Fisher, A.G., Hogan, K., Zane, T., Ross, K. (2013). Evaluating
Communication Modalities for Acquisition and Preference. Workshop presented at the Annual Conference for Autism New Jersey, Atlantic City, NJ.

Tomon, K., Ross, K., Zane, T.L., Weiss, M.J., Satriale, G.M., Russo, S., Kane, M., Guld
Fisher, A., Merendino, K. (2013, May). Selecting a communication modality for non-vocal individuals: Assessments of acquisition and preference. Symposium presented at the 2013 ABAI Annual Convention in Minneapolis, MN.

Perrin, C., Dayton, E., Hanson, J., Kowalski, A., Guld, A., & Kane, M. (2013, May). Use of latency to problem behavior in the assessment and treatment of severe self-injurious behavior. In, Bird, F. (Chair), Treating severe self-injurious behaviors within applied settings. Symposium conducted at the 2013 ABAI Annual Convention in Minneapolis, MN.

Fisher, A.G., Weiss, M.J. (2013, April). Transitioning Learners to Adulthood. Presented
at 8th Annual Autism Conference at Philhaven. Lebanon, PA.

Perrin, C.J., Guld, A.E., Nipe, T., Schadler, J.J., Fredrick, A., Dragone, D., Lausch, S.
(2012). A Comparison of Plate A/Plate B, Taste Exposure Sessions, and Escape Extinction in Treating Food Refusal and Food Selectivity in Two Children with Autism. Symposium presented at the annual conference of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Seattle, WA.

Guld. A.E. (August, 2009, 2010, 2011). Effective Teaching Strategies, PBS, Ethical
Behavior Interventions. Workshop presented at the Temple University Autism Summer Institute, Philadelphia, PA.

Guld, A.E. & Perrin, C. (November, 2010). From Setting to Design Length to
Measurement: A Schmorgesborg of Options in Clinical Functional Analysis. Presented for the Melmark Expert Speaker Series, Berwyn, PA.

Guld, A.E., Kowalski, A., & Rodgers, J. (November, 2010). Applied Behavior Analysis
in Practice: A Behavior Analytic Model for the Clinical Care of Children with Severe Behavior Disorders. Presented at the Pennsylvania Chapter of Council for Exceptional Children, State College, PA.

Guld. A.E. (March, 2009). Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis. Workshop
presented for Parents of Autistic Children advocacy group, Brick, NJ.

Guld. A.E. (May, 2009). Breaking the Link: Decreasing an Inappropriate Behavior when
it is a Link in a Response Chain. Presented at the annual conference of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Phoenix, AZ.

Guld. A.E. (November, 2008). Social Skills Instruction for Children with Autism and
other Developmental Disabilities. Workshop presented for Parents of Autistic Children advocacy group, Brick, NJ.

Kendorski, J.G., Guld, A. (October, 2008). PBIS School Leadership Training. Invited
Training, Ewing Public Schools, Ewing Township, NJ.

Guld. A.E. (May, 2008). Have Behavior Analysts Maintained and Increased their use of
Generalization and Maintenance Strategies? Presented at the annual conference of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Chicago, IL.

Guld, A. E. & Pilgrim, C. (May, 2007). Using a Compound Class-Specific Reinforcer
Procedure to Teach Math. Presented at the annual conference of the Association for Behavior Analysis, San Diego, CA.

Guld, A.E. & Neef, N.A. (May, 2007). A Comparison of Discussion and No Discussion
with Interteaching in a College Course. Presented at the annual conference of the Association for Behavior Analysis, San Diego, CA.

Axe, J., Cihon, T., DeBar, R., Guld, A., Itoi, M., Kettering, T., & Neef, N. (March,
2006). The Effects of Review Session Format on Quiz Performance and Study Group Attendance in a College Course. Presented at the annual conference of the Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan
Poster Presentations

O’hea, A. & Fisher, A.G. (2018). Using Stimulus Equivalence to Teach English to
Parents in the Latino Community. Poster presented at the annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International in San Diego, CA.

Croner, J., Tincani, M., Fisher, A.G., Kane, M., & Gahman, K. (2015). Comparing
Treatment Options for Decreasing Inappropriate Vocal Behavior. Poster presented at the annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International in San Antonio, TX.

Perrin, A., Fisher, A., Kowalski, A. (2015). A Component Analysis of an In-Class
Review Game. Poster presented at the annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International in San Antonio, TX.

Croner, J., Tincani, M., Fisher, A.G., Kane, M., & Gahman, K. (2014). Comparing
Treatment Options for Decreasing Inappropriate Vocal Behavior. Poster presented at the annual conference of Autism New Jersey in Atlantic City, NJ.

Burckley, E., Tincani, M., & Fisher, A.G. (2014). An iPad™-based Picture and Video
Activity Schedule Increases Community Shopping Skills of a Young Adult with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability. Poster presented at the annual conference of Autism New Jersey in Atlantic City, NJ.

Fisher, A.G., Kane, M., Merendino, K., & Croner, J. (2014). Using video prompting to
teach food preparation tasks to individuals with intellectual disabilities using iPad technology. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Chicago, IL and at the Annual Conference for Autism New Jersey.

Fredrick, A., Guld, A.E., Perrin, C.J., Nipe, T., Schadler, J.J., Langston, K., Kowalski,
A.J., Dayton, E. (2012). A Comparison of Plate A/Plate B, Taste Exposure Sessions, and Escape Extinction in Treating Food Refusal and Food Selectivity in Two Children with Autism. Poster presented at the Autism Conference sponsored by the Association for Behavior Analysis.

Guld, A.E., Latoche, L., Turner, J., Langston, K., Richardson, C., and Tomon, K.
(2011). Behavioral Assessment and Treatment of Compulsive Fixing of Environmental Items in a Teenage Male with Autism. Poster presented at the annual conference of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Denver, CO.

Dahl, N. & Guld, A. E. (2009). Congruence between contingency space analysis and
functional analysis results. Presented at the annual conference of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Phoenix, AZ.

Neef, N.A., Kettering, T.I., Rodrigues, L.C.., Guld, A.E., Perrin, C.J., Harberlin, A.T.
(2009). How are the Impulsive Choices of Children Affected by the Extent of Delay? Presented at the annual conference of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Phoenix, AZ.

Kettering, T.L., Parker, E.D., Guld, A.E., DeBar, R.M., Axe, J., & Malone, H.I. (May,
2007). Using the Verbal Behavior Approach to Increase Language in a Child with Language Delays. Presented at the annual conference of the Association for Behavior Analysis, San Diego, CA.

Kettering, T.L., Rodrigues, L.C., Guld, A.E., Luu, C., Gibson, L., & Neef. N.A. (May,
2007). Grades in Jeopardy: Do On-line Games for Review of Course Material Enhance Quiz Performance of College Students? Presented at the annual conference of the Association for Behavior Analysis, San Diego, CA.

Cihon, T., Axe, J., DeBar, R., Guld, A., Itoi, M., Kettering, T., &
Neef, N. (May, 2006). The Effects of Review Session Format on Quiz Performance and Study Group Attendance in a College Course. Presented at the annual convention of Association for Behavior Analysis, Atlanta, GA.

Guld, A. E. & Pilgrim, C. (May, 2005). Using Stimulus Equivalence Procedures and
Class-Specific Reinforcement to Teach Math Facts to Developmentally Disabled and Normally Developing Children. Presented at the annual convention of Association for Behavior Analysis, Chicago, IL.

Jacome, N., Pilgrim, C., Galizio, M., Wilson, J., Aro, M., & Guld, A. (2004, May). The
impact of class-specific reinforcement on the acquisition and modification of conditional discrimination performance. Presented at the annual convention of Association for Behavior Analysis, Boston, MA.

Wilson, J., Pilgrim, C., Galizio, M., Aro, M., Jacome, N., & Guld, A. (2004, May).
Training structure, naming and typicality effects in equivalence class formation. Presented at the annual convention of Association for Behavior Analysis, Boston, MA.

Memberships

  • National Association of School Psychologists, member since 2020
  • New York State ABA (NYSABA), member since 2010
  • New Jersey ABA (NJABA), member since 2010
  • Pennsylvania ABA (PennABA), member since 2010
  • Maryland ABA (MABA), member since 2009
  • Philadelphia Metropolitan ABA (DVABA), member since 2008
  • Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), member since 2005
  • Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), member since 2004
  • Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan, member 2005-2007
  • Southeastern Association for Behavior Analysis, member 2003-2006
  • North Carolina Association for Behavior Analysis, member 2004-2006
  • Ohio Psychological Association, student member 2005-2008
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