Rocio Rosales

Rocio Rosales serves as an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies within the Department of Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications in autism intervention, with a particular focus on supporting culturally and linguistically diverse families who face barriers in accessing services.

Dr. Rosales earned her educational credentials through a specialized path in behavior analysis:

• Ph.D. in Rehabilitation (Specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis), Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
• MS in Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (2005)
• BA in Psychology, University of Nevada - Reno (2001)

Her research program centers on evidence-based applications of behavior analysis across multiple domains. A significant portion examines how to effectively train teachers and paraprofessionals who work with children with autism spectrum disorder, ensuring treatment integrity in real-world settings. She has pioneered work challenging the misconception that bilingual environments confuse children with autism, demonstrating through her research that exposure to multiple languages actually enriches language development.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on cultural competence in behavior analysis, with particular attention to Latino families and multilingual environments. Her work consistently addresses practical implementation challenges in autism services while advancing theoretical understanding of verbal behavior acquisition in diverse populations. This research trajectory demonstrates her commitment to making behavior analytic services more accessible and effective for underserved communities.

Dr. Rosales has received significant recognition for her contributions:

• Outstanding Mentor Award from the Association for Behavior Analysis International (2023)
• Award for Excellence in Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UMass Lowell (2023)
• Teaching Excellence Award from the Psychology Department (2023)
• Graduate Student Mentoring Award from UMass Lowell (2019)

As an educator, she actively mentors both undergraduate and graduate students in research, particularly those training to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts. Her funded research portfolio includes substantial projects like the Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs grant (2021-2026) focused on interdisciplinary personnel preparation, a Signature Grant from The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, and a UMass Lowell Seed Grant for empowering culturally diverse families. Dr. Rosales frequently involves students in her research projects, creating valuable hands-on learning experiences while addressing critical gaps in autism service delivery.