Psychologist

" To provide effective, humane behavioral services, focusing on choice and independence, to people with disabilities.

I provide behavioral and consultation services to individuals with disabilities and to agencies who serve such individuals. These services focus on each person and how to provide him/her with the skills to choose a desirable lifestyle. I also conduct research, teach courses in basic principles of behavior and learning processes, and organize internships for students who want exposure to the principles of behavior in action."

In 1972, I was introduced to my field of expertise, behavior analysis, at a program for children with autism. At that site, I learned procedures such as positive reinforcement, shaping, data collection and analysis, and chaining, and how these techniques could be used to teach skills such as communication, socialization, academics and personal hygiene. I saw first hand how powerful and useful these procedures could be in improving the quality of life of the children. After working with autistic children for a couple of years, I entered the masters in psychology program at Drake University, where I continued my work with children, and also learned to develop staff training programs and programmed instruction modules. Under the guidance of the faculty, I also experienced laboratory research.

Currently, Quest Inc. employs me as their psychologist. In this role, I provide behavioral consultation to group homes, independent living arrangements and vocational centers that are operated by Quest Inc. I also provide consultation to Quest Kids, an early intervention program for children with autism. Our goal in all of these programs is to arrange learning experiences such that the Quest clients ultimately live and work in the community, and enjoy a high quality of life. Through my job with Quest, and my teaching activities at Rollins College and the University of Central Florida, I arrange internships and practicum sites for students who wish to work with people with disabilities. I also teach classes in applied behavior analysis (ABA) that prepare students to take the certification exam in ABA offered by the state of Florida.

Have a question for Elbert Q. Blakely, Ph.D., C.B.A.?
Ask it at the Q & A desk!