Jonathan Tarbox, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Director of Research
Dr. Jonathan Tarbox is our Director of Research at FirstSteps. Dr. Tarbox also serves as the Program Director of the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program at the USC and is the Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed journal, Behavior Analysis in Practice. Dr. Tarbox’s early career included positions at the New England Center for Children and the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Dr. Tarbox received his PhD under Dr. Linda Hayes at the University of Nevada, Reno. Dr. Tarbox’s clinical experience in his previous positions included working with children and adults with and without autism and related disorders, in the home, community, school, hospital, and clinic-based settings.
Dr. Tarbox is an active member in the autism and behavior analytic research communities and has published five books on autism treatment and/or behavioral science, as well as over 90 peer-reviewed articles and chapters in scientific texts. Dr. Tarbox is a past member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Behavior Modification, Behavioral Development Bulletin, and the Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science. Dr. Tarbox’s research focuses on treatments that make a real-life difference in individuals living with autism. His specific research interests include teaching complex language and cognitive skills to individuals with autism, acceptance and commitment training, and applications of Applied Behavior Analysis to address diversity and social justice.
Dr. Tarbox values dissemination of practical information to families affected by autism as one of his primary career missions. Accordingly, Dr. Tarbox is a regular speaker and contributor to conferences, books, newsletters, and magazines aimed at providing help to families living with autism.
Dr Tarbox loves climbing, running unreasonably long distances in the mountains, and failing at spicy food eating challenges. His first love is his family, and he enjoys spending time with his wife and children woodworking, crafting, and playing in wild places.
