Partial List of Presentation Topics:

  • Asperger’s Disorder

  • ​Classroom Inclusion

  • Behavioral Issues

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with ASD

  • Supporting Students with ASD in Transition


Presentations and Training

Joseph R. McAllister, Jr., Ph.D.

McAllister, J.R. (2014, May 15). Training in Early Screening Using the M-ChAT-R. Presented by ABOARD's Autism Connection of PA, Etna, PA.

McAllister, J.R. (2013, October 9). What's Happening with Autism?  Increasing Rates, DSM-5, and Effective Interventions. Presented at the Greater Pittsburgh                     Psychological Association Luncheon Series, Mt. Lebanon, PA.

McAllister, J.R. & Gorby, K. (2013, April 11). Assessing fidelity of treatment in BHRS. Presented at the 4th Pennsylvania Psychological Association Research 
               Conference on BHRS: Evidence-Informed Approaches, Harrisburg, PA.

 McAllister, J. R. (2012, January 12). Transition to Third Level for students with ASD. Presented at Autism Spectrum Disorder: From clinical practice to educational provision. Irish Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research, National University of Ireland, International Conference, Galway, Ireland.

McAllister, J. R. (2011, February 3). Increasing social skills in children with ASD in an inclusive summer intervention program. Presented to the Inclusion Development Program – Autism, University of Birmingham, England.

McAllister, J. R. (2010, November 29). Considering needs and service options for students with autism as they transition to post-secondary education. Presented at the European Autism Action Conference, Dublin, Ireland.

Zychowski, L.A., McAllister, J.R., Jarock. N., Schutte, J., & McHue, M. (2010, November 4). Efficacy of a College Acclimation Program for High-Functioning Students Diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. Presented at the Autism 2010 Geneva Centre for Autism International Symposium, Toronto, Canada.

McAllister, J. R. (2009, October 14). Earlier identification of autism: Detecting at younger ages and connecting with appropriate services. Presented to the Local Interagency Coordinating Council, Pittsburgh, PA.

McAllister, J. R., & Zychowski, L. (2009, October). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with Individuals with an autism Spectrum Disorder. Presented at the Pennsylvania Psychology Association’s Western Pennsylvania Fall Continuing Education and Ethics Conference.

Greisler, M., Zychowski, L. & McAllister, J. R. (2009, March 20). ACCLAIM: Autism College & Community Life Acclimation and Intervention Model. Presented at Promoting Advocacy & Community Integration For Individuals With ASD, 4th Annual Conference of Penn Autism Network.

Miller, J. A., Kegel, N. & McAllister, J. R. (2008). ASSIST: Integrated Service Provision to Children with Autism. Presentation at the 2008 American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Boston, MA.

McAllister, J. R. (2007, July 31). Innovative Models of Collaboration: Project ASSIST. Presented at Progress through Partnership, National Autism Conference, State College, PA.

Kegel, N.E., Koch, G.D., Knapp, J.A., Miller, J.R. & McAllister, J. (2007, March). Uneven Development in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Assessment for Intervention. Presentation to the National Association of School Psychologists, New York, NY. (National, Peer Review).

Miller, J. A., Knapp, J. A., Kegel, N. E., Koch, G. D., & McAllister, J. R. (2006, August). Assessment of Development with the DOCS for Children with Autism. Presentation to the 114th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA. (National, Peer Review).

McAllister, J. R. (2005, May 4). Therapy for Adolescents with Asperger’s Disorder & High-Functioning Autism: A Workshop for Mental Health Professionals. Presented at the 2005 Children's Interagency Training Conference, "Building Bridges: Toward an Integrated System of Care for Children and Families," State College, PA.

McAllister, J. R. (2005, February 9). Including Children with Autism. Keynote address to the Opening Education Conference of the North-South Collaboration, Ballyconnell, Ireland.

McAllister, J. R. (2004, October 1). Therapy for Adolescents with Asperger’s Disorder & High-Functioning Autism: A Workshop for Mental Health Professionals. Conference Chair and presenter, The Watson Institute, Sewickley, PA.

McAllister, J. R. (2003, April 24). Asperger’s Disorder: Characteristics and Intervention Methods. Presented at the 17th Annual Children’s Interagency Training Conference, State College, PA.

McAllister, J. R. (2002, November 15). Inclusive Summer Services for Children with Autism: Focusing on Social Skills Facilitation. Presented to the Department of Education, Dublin, Ireland.

McAllister, J. R. (2002, November 12). Inclusive Summer Services for Children with Autism: Focusing on Social Skills Facilitation. Presented to the Northern Ireland Strategy Group for Special Education, Antrim, Northern Ireland.

McAllister, J. R., & Preator, K. (2002, July 19). Inclusive Summer Services for Children with Autism: Focusing on Social Skills Facilitation. Presented at Champions & Challenges: 2002 National Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders, the Autism Society of America, Indianapolis, IN.

McAllister, J.R. (2001, March 1). Autism and Asperger's Disorder. Presented to student body of Quaker Valley High School, Sewickley, PA.

McAllister, J. R., & Preator, K. (1999, August 10). A didactic approach to developing social skills for children with autism. Progress Through Partnership: A National Conference on Autism, PennState, State College, PA.

McAllister, J. R., & Preator, K. (1999, May 21). Teaching social skills to children with autism. Children's Neurology Center, St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Toledo, OH.

McAllister, J. R., & Preator, K. (1999, April 7). Assessment, Diagnosis, and Intervention Planning for Young Children with Autism. Full-day workshop presented at the National Association of School Psychologists Convention, Las Vegas, NV.

McAllister, J. R., & Preator, K. (1998, October 2). Assessment, Diagnosis, and Intervention Planning for Young Children with Autism. Full-day workshop presented by Northeast Ohio Special Education Regional Resource Center, Warren, Ohio.

McAllister, J. R., & Preator, K. (1998, August 6). Strategies for teaching social skills to children with autism. Presented at the Summer Institute on Autism, PennState, State College, PA.

McAllister, J. R. (1998, June 17). Building regional supports for families of children with autism. Presented at the 1998 Statewide Early Intervention Conference, Hershey, PA.

McAllister, J. R., & Preator, K. (1998, April 15). Assessment, Diagnosis, and Intervention Planning for Young Children with Autism. Full-day workshop presented at the National Association of School Psychologists Convention. Orlando, FL.

McAllister, J. R., & Preator, K. (1997, October 22). Changing views on autism. Presented at Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling, WV.

McAllister, J. R., & Preator, K. (1997, June 27). Teaching social skills to children with autism: Linking assessment, program planning, and interventions. Presented at the 1997 SummerInstitute on Autism, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA.

McAllister, J. R., & Preator, K. (1997, May 13). Precocious reading in children with autism, or, What's so bad about good reading? Presented at the Autism Update '97, Children's Neurology Center, St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Toledo, OH.

McAllister, J. R., & Preator, K. (1997, April 25). Children with autism. Presented for the Albemarle County Schools, Charlottesville, VA.

Hamel, S. C., McAllister, J. R., Hammer, D. (1997, March 25). Autism: Early recognition and management strategies. Grand Rounds, Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA.

Hamel, S. C., McAllister, J. R., Hammer, D., & Fasick, M. P. (1996, August 1). Pervasive Developmental Disorders and Autism: A Multidisciplinary Approach. Pediatric Grand Rounds, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.

McAllister, J. R., & Preator, K. (1996, June 20). Strengths in Children with Autism: Recognizing and Developing Capabilities. Presented at the 1996 Summer Institute on Autism, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA.

McAllister, J. R., Preator, K., & Bagnato, S. J. (1996, May 16). Using Precocious Reading Abilities in Interventions for Children with Autism. Presented at the Contemporary Forums Preconference Workshop on Autism, Washington, D.C.

McAllister, J. R., Preator, K., & Bagnato, S. J. (1996, April 3). Recognizing and Developing Strengths in Children with Autism. Paper presented at the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention, Orlando, Florida.

McAllister, J. R., Preator, K., & Bagnato, S. J. (1996, March 12). High Functioning Children with Autism: Identification, Program Planning, and Intervention Strategies. Symposium presented at the National Association of School Psychologists Convention, Atlanta, GE.

McAllister, J. R., Preator, K., & Bagnato, S. J. (1996, January 26.) Using Precocious Reading Abilities in Interventions for Children with Autism. Paper presented at the 5th Symposium on Literacy and Developmental Disabilities, Research Triangle Park, NC.

McAllister, J. R. (1995). Using precocious reading abilities in children with autism to foster development of communication skills. Research Seed Grant, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.

McAllister, J. R., Preator, K., Bagnato, S. J., & Hegnes, S. D. (1994, March 5). Strengths in Children with autism: Recognizing and eliciting capabilities, Symposium presented at the National Association of School Psychologists Convention, Seattle, Washington.

McAllister, J. R. & Preator, K. (1993, November 16). Assessment and diagnosis in children with autism: A collaborative approach. Presented at "Young Children with autism and their families: An introduction, " Gibsonia, PA, (Teleconference sponsored by the Western Instructional Support Center).

McAllister, J. R., Bagnato, S. J., & Preator, K. (1992, March 27). Parents and professionals as partners in assessment and intervention with autistic children. Symposium presented at the National Association of School Psychologists Convention, Nashville, TN.

National/International Forums:
Selected Presentations:

copyright 2013,  Joseph R. McAllister, Jr., Ph.D. All rights reserved



  • Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • Developing Social Skills

  • Intervention Methods

  • Inclusive Summer Interventions

  • Recognizing and Building on Strengths


  • European Autism Action Conference

  • Department of Education, Dublin, Ireland

  • Northern Ireland Strategy Group for Special Education

  • National Association Of School Psychologists

  • Contemporary Forums

  • Autism Society Of America

  • Advisory Board On Autism And Related Disorders

  • Geneva Centre for Autism International Symposium