Rita Honan
Assistant Professor
Psychology
Trinity College Dublin
Ireland
Biography
After a teaching career with children with profound disabilities and then kindergarten students, Dr. Honan practiced 8 years as a school psychologist in the U.S. (Florida), followed by 13 years in private practice in Counselling Psychology and Psychological and Behavioural Consultancy in a range of Developmental Disability Services, and Adolescent assessment and residential services. Since moving to Dublin in 1994, she has maintained an interest and practice in Counselling, Clinical and Educational Psychology as well as Applied Behaviour Analysis. She initatied the concept of 2 classes for students with Autism in mainstream primary schools which is now widespread in Ireland, and introduced the first University training programme in ABA in Ireland leading to an international qualification (Board Certified Associate Behaviour Analyst). She is very active in the Psychological Society of Ireland's ABA and Autism groups. Her research has been primarily in the area of Pivotal Response Training to improve the social development of children and young adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders by involving mainstream peers.
Research Interest
Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome: Supporting those affected, their families and schools, including third level institutions. Focus on the development of key social interaction skills including 'training' of mainstream peers to elicit improved social behaviours of those with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Within TCD, the ASProject both provides direct services and explores how to identify and support students with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder to insure they complete college and maintain good mental health during these vulnerable years.
Publications
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McCann, J., Minihan, E., Honan, R. and Grey, I. , Increasing social success for children with Aspergers Syndrome through peer-implemented Pivotal Response Training, Teaching Exceptional Children
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Grey, I.M., Honan, R. & Murphy, E. , Increasing social behaviours in children with Aspergers Syndrome using pivotal response training procedures, Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities.
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Grey, I. M & Honan, R., Evaluating the Effectiveness of Teacher Training in Applied Behaviour Analysis., Journal of Learning Disabilities, 9, ((3)), 2005, p209 - 227
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Murphy, E., Grey, I.M. & Honan, R., A Review of Co-operative Learning, British Journal of Special Needs Education, Research Section, 32, (3), 2005, p157 - 164
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Grey, I.M., Bruton C., Honan R. , McGuinness, R. & Daly, M., A Comparison of Co-operative Learning in Mainstream versus Special Class Settings: Implications for Practice, Educational Pyschology in Practice, 23, (4), 2007, p317 - 327
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Teehee, E., Honan, R. & Hevey, D. , Factors contributing to stress in parents of individuals with autistic spectrum disorders, Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 2008
