John Michael Barbiere is applying to Caldwell College's graduate program in Applied Behavioral Analysis. He has experience working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including administering discrete trial teachings to a student. He is interested in publishing research on language development, social skills, and concept formation for individuals with ASD. Barbiere believes Caldwell College's ABA program can provide specialized training and innovative strategies to help him become a board certified behavior analyst and better serve individuals with autism.

1. John Michael Barbiere
519 Lenox Ave., Westfield NJ 07090
c: 1(908) 917-0305
h: barbj379@gmail.com
w: michaelbarbiere@hybridgelearning.com
Over the course of my academic and professional career I have grown immensely both in
character and maturity. Learning both from past failures and successes, moving forward is
something I have found to be essential in the ever-evolving process of life. I feel confident that
pursuing graduate studies will enrich my knowledge-base and I currently seek to align myself
with a local university capable of aiding me in my journey. Caldwell College, located in
Northern New Jersey, would be a perfect fit for me because of their unique approach to
specialized education, specifically in the field of Applied-Behavioral-Analysis (ABA). This field is
something that I am both familiar with and feel capable at excelling in. Both my education and
the education of those diagnosed as being on the Autism-Spectrums (ASD) through utilization
of this key technology can benefit from the graduate program at Caldwell College.
Individuals diagnosed with ASD are uniquely equipped to interact within an ever-
changing society in their own exceptional way. With the assistance of dedicated professionals,
such as myself, individuals with autism learn ways to navigate and function in the massive
outer-space that envelopes them. Often considered to be a maladaptive disorder, ASD is now
considered a widespread epidemic in the United States affecting 1 in every 88 children
nationally with figures estimated to be even smaller, locally. This calls for even more rigorous
analysis on the precipitating factors that engender such stifling numbers. Clearly, there is no
single panacea when it comes to dealing with the burden of inclusion. I have collective
experiences within the classroom, home, and community, and have found that ABA is the most
effective weapon against this burden. When first introduced to the world of ASD, I found
myself forced to deal with the lack of sufficient intervention, especially when early intervention
is needed within the home setting and therefore have acted as a coordinator of sorts.
Administering Discrete-Trial-Teachings (DTT) is a task that I undertake daily at New Beginnings
Special Education School in Fairfield, New Jersey, to a 1:1 5th grade student with ASD. Although
New Beginnings does not directly align itself with a science-based approach, this valuable
experience is relevant none the less.
My first introduction to the world of ASD was while earning my undergraduate degree
at Montclair State University in the field of Psychology. During my undergraduate studies, I met
many good friends and continue to foster these significant relationships to this day. Although
the field of psychology is expansive, I was able to find a “home away from home” and was
introduced to a young boy diagnosed with ASD named Connor living in Paramus, NJ. As a result

2. of early intervention within the home setting, Connor was subjected to intensive, high quality
programming, which enabled him to develop the acquisition of basic and necessary life skills at
his young age. My most memorable and rewarding successes with Connor was teaching him to
engage in a game of baseball with his older brother. This was accomplished by breaking down
each step in the chain of winding up to throw a ball and reinforcing appropriately in accordance
with science-based methodology. This grander sequence of steps allowed me to successfully
shape his behavior with positive reinforcements and consequences in order to promote future
occurrences of this behavior. My understanding is that this positive experience was especially
appreciated by his parents regarding his progress at home.
This introduction was only the beginning of my journey, which took me to New York City
in the pursuit of graduate studies. Having been published in the past, I was accepted to NSSR in
Manhattan with experimental psychology being my “bread and butter”. The Color of Music is a
piece of literature which explores the dynamics of synesthesia and sensory phenomenon.
Interestingly, this type of sensory perception is highly regarded in the field of ASD as these
students display hyper-sensitivity to external stimuli, including music, noise, lights, colors,
sounds and textures. Working in a center specifically designed to cater to the quixotic needs of
individuals with ASD is an extremely desired, life goal of mine. Within the field of clinical
psychology, I continue to seek the specialization necessary in the process of becoming a board
certified BCBA. Caldwell College can provide this type of unique, specialized training with all
the bells and whistles of a city university. Furthermore, the Center for Applied Behavioral
Analysis can provide innovative strategies for specialists tailoring to the specific goals of each
individual. As a member of the program, I hope to publish findings in the areas of language
development, social and play skills, concept formations and critical analysis. Becoming an
active member of the research community and aligning with science-based instruction is my
primary goal. Although I have yet to be inside the Center located on your campus, I find the
logic and intensity of the program to permeate my skill-set.
In conclusion, the single most important factor associated with mental health and well
being is found in exercising our abilities as specialists to help build a brighter future for
individuals in need of assistance and intervention. Those affected with ASD are significantly in
need of our care and it is the responsibility of educators in New Jersey and throughout America
to rise to this challenge. Through the crafting of a polished, well-rounded product, we find the
key to answering some of the most complex questions associated with typical well-being. My
personal mantra is to continue as a lifelong student, an effective, goal-driven educator, and
open the doors that lead to new opportunities at the Master and Doctoral level. I hope to fit-in
much like a jigsaw puzzle piece with the members of the Applied-Behavioral-Analysis
educational program and the Caldwell College community at large.