We are founded by GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED EXPERTS
The founders of Autism Partnership are current world-renowned authorities in the treatment of autism. Their quality standards and high expectations are aspirations of all fellow practitioners. Having contributed significantly to seminal works including books, research publications, and scientific conferences since the 1970s, they also provide consultations to school districts and families worldwide.
Dr. Ronald Leaf is a licensed psychologist who has over 50 years of experience in the field of autism. Dr. Leaf began his career working with Professor Ivar Lovaas, while receiving his undergraduate degree at UCLA. Subsequently, he received his doctorate under the direction of Prof. Lovaas. During his years at UCLA, he served as Clinic Supervisor, Research Psychologist, Lecturer and Interim Director of the Young Autism Project. He was extensively involved in several research investigations, contributed to “The Me Book”, and is a co-author of “The Me Book” Videotapes, a series of instructional tapes for teaching autistic children.
Dr. Leaf has consulted to families, schools, day programs and residential facilities on a national and international basis. Dr. Leaf is also the Executive Director of Behavior Therapy and Learning Centre, a mental health agency that consults with parents, care-providers and school personnel. Dr. leaf is co-author of “A Work In Progress”, “Time for School”, “It Has to Be Said”, “Crafting Connections” and “A Work In Progress Companion Series”.
John McEachin is a licensed psychologist who has been providing behavioral intervention to children with autism as well as adolescents and adults with a wide range of developmental disabilities for more than forty years. He received his graduate training under Professor Ivar Lovaas at UCLA on the Young Autism Project. During his 11 years at UCLA, Dr. McEachin served in various roles including Clinic Supervisor, Research and Teaching Assistant, and Acting Director. His research has included the long-term follow-up study of young autistic children who received intensive behavioral treatment, which was published in 1993.
In 1994 he joined with Ron Leaf in forming Autism Partnership, which they co-direct. In 1999 they published A Work in Progress, a widely used behavioral treatment manual and curriculum for children with autism. Dr. McEachin has lectured throughout the world and co-authored numerous books and research articles. He consults regularly to families, agencies, and school districts, assisting in the development of treatment programs and providing training to parents, group home staff, and classroom personnel.
Mr. Toby Mountjoy is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and holds a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. With over 25 years of experience working with individuals with ASD, he has been extensively trained by Dr. Ronald Leaf, Dr. Mitchell Taubman and Dr. John McEachin. Besides overseeing the Autism Partnership operation in Hong Kong, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Kuwait and Beijing, with over 500 staff, including psychologists, consultants and therapists, he has also provided consultations to school districts, agencies, and families worldwide. Mr. Mountjoy has also contributed chapters to publications such as “Sense & Nonsense” and “It’s Time for School”. In 2007, he founded the charitable Autism Partnership Foundation and AP School to offer more services for children with Autism.
An accredited certification for evaluating if a professional meets the highest standards in demonstrating proficiency in the content of a progressive approach to ABA as it relates to individuals diagnosed with ASD.
This certification program is designed for professionals with a minimum of 10,000 hours (approximately 5 years full-time) experience in ABA with concentration in autism.
BCBA stands for “Board Certified Behavior Analyst”. A board certified behavior analyst is certified through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®. There are three distinctions for certified behavior analysts: BCaBA, BCBA, BCBA-D.
All certified behavior analysts have completed coursework specific to behavior analysis, completed required supervised field work experience, and passed a board exam. BCBAs are required to hold a minimum of a master’s degree in their field.
Tracee Parker began a career in the field of ABA research and treatment for people with Autism and Developmental Disabilities in 1979. Addressing social/sexual challenges (i.e., development, education, intervention, victimization) and misperceptions among practitioners have driven her focus. Her predoctoral training/experience subsumed five years working with Ivar Lovaas on the UCLA Young Autism Project, and contribution to research studies, including long term treatment of young autistic children. Since earning a doctorate in 1990, her professional endeavors encompassed: Publications as well as presentations, training, and consultation (domestic and international) to a range of agencies, school districts and families. Tracee has served as a Clinical Associate with Autism Partnership since 1997. She has been working with AP Korea since 2016 and currently serves as an AP Consultant.
Da-eun Son is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
Since establishing AP in Seoul in 2013, she has been working with Autism Partnership (AP), gaining extensive experience in developing ABA programs for children with ASD under the guidance of Dr. Tracee Parker and Director Toby Mountjoy.
As the Site Director of AP Korea, she oversees center operations and focuses on supporting children with ASD, their families, and professionals in the field through therapist training, supervisor mentoring, and family consultation and education. In addition, she conducts training workshops for teachers and education professionals and delivers lectures at seminars and conferences to raise awareness and provide accurate information about autism and its treatment.
Sukyung Hwang earned her degree from Pusan National University and joined AP Korea in 2015, working with numerous children. Currently serving as a Clinical Associate, she oversees case supervision within her team, provides on-site training for therapists, and conducts parent education sessions and various meetings. Additionally, she continues to expand her professional expertise through ongoing training and guidance from Dr. Tracee Parker and Director Toby Mountjoy from the U.S. headquarters, as well as Site Director Da-Eun Son in Korea, to provide even better support.
Jiheon Lee earned her degree from the University of Washington and has experience in adolescent psychology, education, and ABA therapy in both the U.S. and Korea. Since joining AP Korea, she has worked with numerous children and currently serves as a Case Supervisor. In this role, she oversees case supervision within her team and provides on-site training for therapists. She also conducts parent education sessions and various meetings. Additionally, she continues to expand her professional expertise through ongoing training and guidance from Dr. Tracee Parker and Director Toby Mountjoy from the U.S. headquarters, as well as Site Director Da-Eun Son in Korea, to provide even better support.
Jaeheon Lee earned a degree in counseling psychology and has gained extensive experience in various fields, including mentoring and supporting children with special needs, facilitating peer group counseling for middle and high school students, working as a counselor at a university counseling center, and conducting art therapy for children. Additionally, he has further strengthened his expertise by obtaining certifications as a Youth Counselor, Clinical Art Therapist, and PCM Practitioner 1.
Since joining AP Korea in 2020, he has accumulated broad experience as an ABA therapist, working with children with diverse needs. Currently, as a Program Supervisor, he is responsible for supervising therapists and designing individualized treatment programs for children. He also conducts parent education sessions and various meetings while continuously receiving training and guidance from Dr. Tracee Parker and Director Toby Mountjoy from the U.S. headquarters, as well as Site Director Da-Eun Son in Korea, to provide even better support.
AP is devoted to training our staff to become a dedicated group of empathetic and compassionate clinicians who provide quality APM treatment. Our goal is to create positive, life-long changes for children with ASD and their families.
Our Therapists
Our frontline staff /Therapists plays a key role in the success of our agency. They work with our families and children in one-on-one, group and school settings, and carry out program goals as identified by our Supervisors and Consultants.
All our therapists must go through a 4-month (approximately 600 hours) pre-service didactic and practicum training before they can provide direct line therapy for our families. They will then receive intensive and ongoing training for about 200 hours every year thereafter by local and overseas experts in the field.
AP is the only agency in Hong Kong that provides an extensive in-house APM training program. All new therapists must go through a 4-month (approximately 600 hours) pre-service didactic and practicum training before they can provide direct line therapy for our clients. Training and orientation are in the form of lectures, case studies, role-play, case observations, and practical hands-on sessions closely monitored by our Consultants.
Our therapists receive over 600 hours of induction training and 1:1 supervision by our Supervisors and Consultants in their first year on the job. Thereafter, staffs continue to receive over 200 hours of supervision per year with weekly supervisions, regular clinics and team meetings specific to the child they are working with. Weekly supervisions allow us to monitor and evaluate the quality of our services, and track progress of our students.
All therapists are required to attend monthly training sessions to further their knowledge and enhance skills. On-the-job trainings are both didactic and practical, consisting of lectures, case studies, videos, evaluations, and role-play.
Our therapists are formally evaluated through supervision and review meetings with the Consultants on an ongoing basis. Evaluations are based on therapists’ practical skills, programming skills, work attitude, communication skills, organization skills as well as professionalism and leadership skills.
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