ANTONY THOMAS, M.A., M.Phil., PhD, BCBA-D.

Psych-ABA Consulting,  antonythomas.nz@gmail.com

SUMMARY of Professional and Clinical Experience/Expertise:

• Extensive clinical experience working as a Behavior Specialist/Clinical Psychologist/ ABA Therapist/Teacher Consultant with students/clients and their families in diverse clinical, educational, and community settings.
• Experience working in Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, India and the USA.
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (for 16 years) -Since 2004.
• Licensed Behavior Analyst in Hawaii, USA -Since 2016.
• Registered Clinical Psychologist in New Zealand -Since 2000.
• Worked as Autism Consultant /Lead ABA therapist in the USA for 9 years. 

Professional Experience and Employment History:

EXPERIENCE:

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (Doctoral)  in the School Districts in California (Since Aug 2022).
• Clinical Psychologist & Therapist- Online consultation and therapy, Positive Mindworks, New Zealand.(2020-2021)
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst in the school sector: Department of Education, Maui, Hawaii (Sept 2019- Dec 2020)
• Lecturer In Behavior Analysis, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, (2019 ).
• Registered Clinical Psychologist & District Resource, Ministry of Education, New Zealand (2015 -2018): Based on the recommendation by the Waikato MOE District Management Team, I offered services across all six teams –as a district resource co-working with other special education professionals (Psychologists, Special Education Advisors, and Speech Therapists) in supporting the inclusion of the most challenging cases.(students who were suspended/excluded earlier from schools). My other responsibility was to offer various teacher training and professional development seminars/workshops. 
• Clinical supervisor, Trainer, and Behavior Analyst,  Alakai Na Keiki, Hawaii, USA. (2014 )
•  Psychologist, Ministry of Education, Hamilton, New Zealand (2005- 2014)

• Professional development  Seminars/Workshops and Community Education Activities:

Offered one-day seminars and workshops for the University of Waikato –Continuing Education (Hamilton and Tauranga), Bay of Plenty District Health Board (Rotorua),  Help University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the  NZ Ministry of Education, Special Education and for Alakai na Keiki, Hawaii, USA.

Community Support Activities – (voluntary work in the local community):

• Founder of “Asperger’s Connections”, Hamilton.
• Founder of “Asperger’s Connections”, Tauranga.

EDUCATION:

• Post-Doctoral training – Psychology & ABA  –  Hawaii, USA
• PhD –  Psychology – University of Mysore
• M.Phil. in Medical and Social Psychology (Clinical Psychology) – National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro-sciences (Bangalore University)
• M.A. Psychology – First Class – University of Calicut
• B.A. – Philosophy & Psychology – First class – University of Calicut
• Certificate in Assistive Technology – California State University
• Certificate in Education of the Disabled – Danish Ministry of Education, Denmark.

RESEARCH, CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS:

Thomas, A. (2018). “Long delays and inaccuracies in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders: A crucial barrier to effective educational interventions”. Paper presented at the 11th Educational Psychology Forum/Conference. University of Auckland, New Zealand. 

Thomas, A. (2018). “Conjoint Behavioural Consultation as an effective intervention to support students with severely challenging behaviors”. Paper presented at the 11th Educational Psychology Forum/Conference. University of Auckland, New Zealand. 

Thomas, A. (2018). “Education of Students with Autism- Identification of Subtle Features and Some Strategies”. Invited Guest Lecture at the School of Human Development, Faculty of Education, University of Waikato, New Zealand.

Thomas, A. King, S.K; Willamson, W & Cole, P. (2017) “Severely Autistic, Yet Profoundly Artistic”- Paper presented at 3rd   Altogether Autism Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.                                                                                             

Thomas, A (2016) “Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome as a variant of Autism: Implication for educational interventions”. Paper presented at the 9th Educational Psychology Forum at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand.

Thomas, A (2015) “A whole school autism awareness program”. Paper presented at the 8th Educational Psychology Forum, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

Thomas, A; Jury, C & Cross, C (2015) “Service delayed is service denied? Supporting students with Asperger’s syndrome/Autism Spectrum Disorder”- Paper presented at 2nd Annual Altogether Autism Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.

Thomas, A. (2014) “A closer look at the dynamics and features of autism for planning effective interventions”.  A four-part workshop series presented for the therapists and paraprofessionals working with children with autism at Alakai Na Keiki, Honolulu, USA.

Thomas, A. (2014).  “A closer look at the dynamics and features of autism for planning effective interventions”. A four-part workshop series presented for the therapists and paraprofessionals working with children with autism at Alakai Na Keiki, Honolulu, USA.

Thomas, A. (2013). “Slipping through the cracks: An inquiry into some of the barriers in inclusive education of students with autism in New Zealand”.  Paper presented at the 6th Educational Psychology Forum conference on New Directions for Educational Psychology at the University of  Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Thomas, A. (2013). “The Information Technology-Autism Connection”. Invited presentation at the Department of Computer Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.

Thomas, A. & Paul Naveen  (2013). “Does ABA in New Zealand appear ‘anorexic’? An inquiry into some of the contributing variables and a brief comparison with its ‘hefty/obese’ ABA cousin in the USA”.  Paper presented at the 10th annual conference of  NZABA (New Zealand Association of  Behavior Analysis ) at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Thomas, A; Connor, T;  Hoven, DV & Arundel, C (2013). “The challenges of identifying girls on the autism spectrum: A retrospective analysis of the behavioral profiles of girls with autism during their primary school years”.  Paper presented at the “Inspiring Excellence in Autism Conference 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Thomas, A;  Pace, M; Pace, J; Williamson, W; Kitto, D (2013). “Children with Autism in schools in New Zealand: A video case study on the personal experiences of parents belonging to Different generations”.  Paper presented at the “Inspiring Excellence in Autism Conference 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Thomas.A (2011). “Asperger’s syndrome: Enhanced teacher awareness and drastic reduction of student problem behaviors – a video case presentation. Paper presented at the 4th Educational Psychology Forum,  Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand.

Thomas.A (2011). “The role of parent support groups in helping students with social difficulties and/or Asperger’s syndrome”. Paper presented at the 4th Educational Psychology Forum,  Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand.

Thomas. A (2010).  “Management of problem behaviors of students with ‘undiagnosed’ or ‘misdiagnosed’ Asperger’s syndrome”. Paper presented at the 3^rd Educational Psychology forum. (Theme: “Hei Whakaaturanga: Towards evidence-based practice”), Canterbury University, New Zealand. (November 2010)

Thomas. A (2010).  “Autism as a ‘hidden epidemic’ alarms America; Can India continue its nirvana?”. A poster presentation at the Annual Conference of Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists in Bangalore, India.

Thomas. A (2010). “A video demonstration of skill acquisition using discrete trial teaching (DTT) with students on the Autism Spectrum”. Paper presented at the Annual conference of the Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP) in Bangalore, India.

Thomas. A (2010). “Use of Social stories to reduce problem behaviors of a student with Asperger’s syndrome”. Paper presented at the Annual conference of the Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP) in Bangalore, India.

Thomas. A (2009). “The role of Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) in the diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome”.  Paper presented at the session on “Measurement and assessment challenges in providing services for persons with Autism” at the International Association of Behaviour Analysis, Phoenix, Arizona.

Thomas, A. (2007). “Management Strategies for dealing with students with ADHD and ASD”. Invited presentation at Vidya Sudha, Sri Ramachandra Learning Centre for children with special needs, Chennai.

Thomas. A (2006). “Discrete trial teaching as a method of intervention”. Paper presented at the regional Ministry of Education special education conference held at  Waikato University, Hamilton.

Thomas, A. (2004). “Treatment of Autism and other Challenging Behaviours”- Invited Presentation at the Department of Psychology, University of Calicut, India.

Thomas, A. (2004). “Humanistic and Existential approaches in counseling & psychotherapy”. Invited Presentation at the Department of Clinical Psychology, Sri Ramachandra medical college and research institute, Chennai, India.

Thomas, A. (2003). “Disability rehabilitation and the application of Assistive Technology”. Paper presented at the annual meeting Alakai Na Keiki Inc, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

Thomas, A & Prakash P (2000). “Relapse prevention in the Treatment of Stuttering: The significance of Locus of Control constructs”. Paper presented at the XXVII International Congress of Psychology, Stockholm, Sweden.

Thomas, A. (2000). “Contagious’ obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in the spouse of an OCD client: A Clinical case study”. Poster presented at the XXVII International Congress of Psychology, Stockholm, Sweden.

Thomas, A;  Naika, K & Akila, T.R (1996).  “An investigation into some of the common factors and characteristics of functional aphonia”.  Paper presented at the  XXVIII Annual Conference of Indian Speech & Hearing Association, Calcutta.

Thomas. A (1996). “Re-establishment of normal voice in functional aphonia”. Paper presented at the XXVIII Annual Conference of Indian Speech & Hearing Association, Calcutta.

Thomas. A (1995). “Emotional disorders associated with Learning disabilities”.  Invited presentation at lecture series on learning disabilities organized by the Indian Academy of Paediatrics and Department of Psychiatry, Mysore Medical College, Mysore.

Thomas, A. (1993). “Behavior Modification in Special Education”. Invited presentation at the University Grants Commission sponsored refresher course in Special Education organized by the Department of Education, University of Mysore, Mysore.

Thomas, A. (1992) “Social and emotional needs of a disabled child” – A Chapter written as part of curriculum development (instruction material)  for Certificate program in Guidance for teachers offered by the National Council of Educational Research and Training and the Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi.

Sathyavathi & Thomas, A. “An attributional approach to the locus of control, self-esteem, and alienation – a clinical study”. Psychological Studies, 29 (1) 76-82.

EDUCATIONAL VIDEO/ DVD:

• “Communication disorders of the aged”, a short public education video made for AII India Institute of Speech & Hearing, and “Helpage India” (1992).
• “ASD and social story”. A DVD made for parent/teacher education based on a success story of the inclusion of an ASD student, narrated by his teacher and his mother (2008).

AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS: 

• Danish Government Research Scholarship, Denmark.
• University of New England (UNE) Research Scholarship, Australia.
• International Society of Augmentative & Alternative Communication (ISAAC) Prentik- Romich Scholarship, CANADA
• Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Hawaii, USA. 
• Selected for the NZ Ministry of Education Skills Progression Framework (SPF) and implemented a project in the Waikato area schools to enhance autism awareness in the community entitled “a whole school autism awareness program”, New Zealand.

 HOBBIES and INTERESTS:

• Photography
• Philosophy and Cosmology
• Video Editing
• Traveling (visited  70+  countries).