Rocco Giovanni Catrone

Rocco Giovanni Catrone, PhD, BCBA-D, is a Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and an Assistant Professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He also serves as a Visiting Professor at Umbra Institute in Italy. His research focuses on disability stigma reduction, effective training methods for caregivers, and compassionate care practices in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Dr. Catrone holds a PhD in Rehabilitation (Behavior Analysis specialization) from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and an M.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy. He has secured significant grant funding, including a $742,088 OSEP grant as Co-PI for equitable ABA practices.

His research lab, Behavioral Leadership in Education, Novel Science, and Dissemination (BLEND), addresses stigma reduction through behavioral frameworks. Clinically, he has extensive experience in pediatric settings, including roles at Advocate Children’s Hospital and co-founding First Domino Pediatric Behavior Therapy. He has delivered over 30 invited talks and workshops on topics like disability advocacy and ethical behavior analysis, spanning international venues such as Iran Autism Association and ACBS World Conference.

• Education:
  • B.A. Psychology & Intercultural Studies (Elmhurst College)
  • M.S. Behavior Analysis and Therapy (SIU-Carbondale)
  • Ph.D. Rehabilitation (SIU-Carbondale)

Grants include leadership in DEI initiatives, animal behavior research, and community-based programs. His work integrates clinical practice, research, and advocacy to empower families and reduce systemic barriers for individuals with disabilities.