Frequently Taught Courses
PSY 5060 (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy)
PSY 6050 (Behavior Therapy)
PSY 3780 (Abnormal Psychology)
PSY 4265 (Methods in Behavioral Management)
Research & Creative Interests
My research interests include the transition of neurodiverse (typically autistic) individuals from high school settings into early and emerging adulthood. I am interested in the prevalence of skills necessary for daily living in modern society (such as self-advocacy, financial literacy, etc.) and how to best teach these skills when needed. My research also prioritizes the goals and perspectives of neurodiverse individuals as well as their involvment in the research process.
Professional Affiliations
American Psychological Association, Division 25 (Behavior Analysis)
American Psychological Association, Division 33 (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities / Autism Spectrum Disorders)
Association for Behavior Analysis International
Publications
Schena II, D. & Rosales, R. (2023). Autistic Adult Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Employment-Related Rights. Education Sciences.
Schena II, D., Rosales, R., & Soldner, J. (2023). Evaluating prep guide use in interteaching compared to a quiz alternative. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Schena II, D., Rosado, V., & Hillier, A. (submitted for publication). Skill maintenance and follow-up assessment in teaching employment skills to workers with autism: a review and call for research. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Schena, D., Rosales, R., & Rowe, E. (2022). Self-advocacy instruction in autism spectrum disorders; A review and call for research. Journal of Behavioral Education, 1-49.
Hillier, A., Ryan, J., Buckingham, A., Schena, D., Queenan, A., Dottolo, A., & Abreu, M. (2021). Prospective college students with autism spectrum disorder: Parent perspectives. Psychological Reports, 124(1), 88-107.
Hillier, A., Poto, N., Schena, D., Dorey, J., Buckingham, A., Santangelo, M., & Frye, A. (2021). Overview of a Life Skills Coaching Program for Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Coaches’ Perspectives. Psychological Reports, 0033294121991021.
Hillier, A., White, S. W., & Schena, D. (2021). Autism in Higher Education: Access, Challenges, and Support Strategies. In Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders (pp. 496-506). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Hillier, A., Poto, N., Schena II, D., Buckingham, A., & Frye, A. (2021). An individualized life-skills coaching program for adults with autism. Advances in Autism, Vol. 8 No. 2, pp. 104-116.
Shen, J., Wang, Y., Kurpad, N., & Schena, D. A. (2021). A systematic review on the impact of hot and cool executive functions on pediatric injury risks: A meta-analytic structural equation modeling approach. Prevention Science, 1-12.
Hillier, A., Buckingham, A., & Schena, D. (2020). Physical activity among adults with autism: participation, attitudes, and barriers. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 127(5), 874-890.
Education & Training
B.S., Brain and Behavioral Science, Purdue University, 2019
M.S., Applied Behavior Analysis, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 2022
Ph.D., Applied Psychology and Prevention Science, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 2023
Office Hours
Room 1051, Physical Sciences Building
Tuesday / Thursday 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, 9:00 - 10:00 AM