V. Mark Durand, Ph.D., is known worldwide as an authority in the
area of autism spectrum disorders. He is a professor of psychology
at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, where he was the
founding Dean of Arts & Sciences and Vice Chancellor for Academic
Affairs. Dr. Durand is a fellow of the American Psychological
Association. He has received more than $4 million in federal
funding since the beginning of his career to study the nature,
assessment, and treatment of behavior problems in children with
autism spectrum disorders. Before moving to Florida, he served in a
variety of leadership positions at the University at Albany-State
University of New York (SUNY-Albany), including Associate Director
for Clinical Training for the doctoral psychology program from 1987
to 1990, Chair of the Psychology Department from 1995 to 1998, and
Interim Dean of Arts and Sciences from 2001 to 2002. There he
established the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at
SUNY-Albany. He received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees -- all
in psychology--at Stony Brook University.
Dr. Durand was awarded the University Award for Excellence in
Teaching at SUNY-Albany in 1991 and in 2007 received the
Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research and Creative
Scholarship at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Dr.
Durand is currently Co-editor of the Journal of Positive
Behavior Interventions, is a member of the Professional
Advisory Board for the Autism Society of America, and is on the
Board of Directors of the international Association of Positive
Behavioral Support. He serves on a number of editorial boards, has
reviewed for dozens of journals, and has more than 100 publications
on functional communication, educational programming, and behavior
therapy. His books include several best-selling textbooks on
abnormal psychology, Severe Behavior Problems: A Functional
Communication Training Approach (Guilford Press, 1990),
Sleep Better! A Guide to Improving Sleep for Children with
Special Needs (Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., 1998), and
When Children Don't Sleep Well: Interventions for Pediatric
Sleep Disorders, Therapist Guide (Oxford University Press,
2008). In his leisure time, he enjoys long-distance running and
just completed his third marathon.
I can assure you every person caring or working for a child regardless of age or abilities will benefit from V. Mark Duranda (TM)s optimistic parenting advice . . . The authora (TM)s friendly, conversational style of writing brings the reader on board feeling that a friend is giving him parenting advice. Optimistic Parenting receives five STARS from Special Needs Book Review for the quality of the content and organization of this book!
--Lorna Da (TM)Entremont![]() |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
![]() |