Ruth Anne Rehfeldt

Ruth Anne Rehfeldt is an Adjunct Faculty member in the Department of Applied Behavior Analysis at The Chicago School. She earned her PhD in Behavior Analysis from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 1998. Her research and clinical work focus on empirical investigations of verbal behavior, language acquisition, and behavioral flexibility in individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. She has contributed extensively to behavioral interventions literature and co-edited two textbooks.

• Education: PhD in Behavior Analysis (University of Nevada, Reno, 1998)

Ruth Anne Rehfeldt's research spans foundational studies of verbal behavior in individuals with limited language skills to advanced applications of Acceptance and Commitment Training for compassionate care in clinical settings. Her work addresses both rudimentary language repertoires and complex behavioral phenomena like experiential avoidance. The majority of her publications focus on behavioral interventions for developmental disorders.

Her scholarly contributions include over 100 articles and book chapters, with a notable emphasis on autism and developmental disorders. Her co-edited book Derived Relational Responding (2009) established frameworks for relational response interventions in clinical contexts.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Fellow status, Association for Behavior Analysis International

Rehfeldt has held leadership roles, including a 12-year tenure as Editor of The Psychological Record, and active membership in the Association for Behavior Analysis International and Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. Her presentations, like Why are the Behavioral Sciences Not More Effective at the 2019 event in Dublin, highlight her commitment to advancing applied behavioral science.