Professional Experience

Public Schools in Massachusetts (6 years) and Connecticut (4 years)

Non-Public School in Maryland (2 years)

Residential Services in Utah (5 years)

Outpatient Clinical Services in Utah (6 years)

Preschool ASD Services in Utah (2 years)

Education and Certifications

MS Degree, Utah State University, Department of Special Education

BA Degree, Utah State University, Department of Social Work and Anthropology

BCBA, Certificant 1-12-12588

Approved Continuing Education Provider, IP-24-11059

Awards and Grants

Newton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), Award, 2021

Charles E. Brown Middle School Parent Teacher Organization, Grant, 2020

Affiliations and Memberships

Association for Contextual Behavior Science, Member, 2022-2024

Training Coordinator for Watertown Special Education Parent Advisory Council, Watertown MA, 2024

Watertown Citizens for Black Lives, Member, 2021-2024

Newton Public Schools LGBTQ Affinity Group, Member, 2018-2023

Behavior Analysis Leadership Council, Member, 2017-2023

Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, Member, 2017-2024

Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, 2013-2018

Maryland Association for Behavior Analysis, Member, 2012-2015

Utah Association for Behavior Analysis, Member, 2009-2023

Association for Behavior Analysis International, Member, 2006-2024

Presentations and Publications

Knighton, Ryan K. (2020). Can Behavior Analysts Help Reduce Racism? Continuing education discussant at Newton Public Schools, Newton, Massachusetts.

Laprime A. P., Knighton, Ryan. (2020). Observational Learning. In: Volkmar F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY.

Torres-Viso M., Knighton, Ryan. (2020). Preference and Reinforcer Assessment. In: Volkmar F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY.

Knighton, Ryan K. (April 2019). Trauma-Informed Engagement in Schools: Practical Applications of Evidence-Based Teaching Strategies. Invited speaker at El Sistema USA at the Longy School of Music of Bard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Knighton, Ryan K. (October 2016). A component analysis of settings on an eye-tracking speech generation device. Paper presented at the 37th Annual Conference for Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Amherst, Massachusetts.

Knighton, Ryan K., Bloom, Sarah E., and Clark, Daniel. (May 2013). The use of progressive-ratio schedules to assess negative reinforcers. Paper presented at the 39th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Convention, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Knighton, Ryan K., Bloom, Sarah E., and Clark, Daniel. (April 2012). The use of progressive-ratio schedules to assess negative reinforcers. Paper presented at the Intermountain Graduate Research Symposium, Logan, Utah.

Collins, Shawnee D., Salzberg, Charles L., Higbee, Thomas S., Hermansen, Julia A., Knighton, Ryan K., and Wilhite, Tyler J. (May 2011). The effects of video modeling on staff implementation of PECS: Phase 1 in a group home for adults with intellectual disabilities. Paper presented at the 38th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Convention, Seattle, Washington.

Collins, Shawnee D., Salzberg, Charles L., Higbee, Thomas S., Hunter, Jackie L., Hermansen, Julia A., Knighton, Ryan K., and Wilhite, Tyler J. (May 2011). Using video models to train direct support staff working with adults with intellectual disabilities to implement Phase 2 of the Picture Exchange Communication System. Paper presented at the 38th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Convention, Seattle, Washington.