Dr. Johanna Higgins is an Assistant Professor of Practice in Applied Behavior Analysis and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-D at the University of Pittsburgh. She teaches courses in special education practices, applied behavior analysis and research. Dr. Higgins’s research focuses on the use of naturalistic-developmental-behavioral interventions and supporting caregivers of young children at risk for or diagnosed with autism.
Dr. Higgins earned her B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. She is an alumna of the University of Pittsburgh and completed her MEd and PhD in the Early Intervention Program with a specialization in Autism under the supervision of Dr. Louise Kaczmarek.
- Special education
- Applied behavior analysis
- Autism
- Early Intervention Part C services and supports
- Early childhood special education
- Training and supports for caregivers
- Autism
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions
- Technology-based applications
Higgins, J., Kaczmarek, L., & King, S. (in press). Enhancing Early intervention for caregivers of children with autism with Online Reciprocal Imitation Training learning modules. Manuscript accepted for publication to Topics in Early Childhood Special Education.
Higgins, J., & Childress, D. (in press). Let’s work together: Elements to strengthen teaming and collaboration between early intervention providers. Manuscript accepted for publication to Young Exceptional Children.
Kuhn, M. & Higgins, J. (2023). Strengthening early intervention home visitation quality: A focus on partnershipsand Interactions, Topics in Early Childhood Special Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/02711214231162828
Lohmann, M. Riggleman, S., & Higgins, J. (2023). Using a mobile device for early childhood classroom behavior data collection. Journal of Early Childhood Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-023-01443-5
Higgins, J., Riggleman, S., & Lohmann, M. (2023). A practical guide to writing behavior intervention plans for young children. Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship, 12(1).
2021 – 2026 | Co-Primary Investigator with Savaiano, M. & Yoon, H. Interdisciplinary Training for Early Intervention Visual Impairment Scholars (IT-EIVIS) Interdisciplinary Preparation in Special Education, Intervention, and Related Services for Personnel Serving Children with Disabilities who have High-Intensity Needs (Focus Area A) Funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (Award: $993,543). Note: This grant was transferred to another faculty at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2021.
2019 – 2020 | Primary Investigator, Nebraska Early Development Network University of Nebraska-Lincoln Professional Upgrade Partnership. Funded by the Nebraska Department of Education (Award: $41,441).
2018 – 2019 | Primary Investigator, Nebraska Early Development Network University of Nebraska-Lincoln Professional Upgrade Partnership. Funded by the Nebraska Department of Education (Award: $81,334).
2012 – 2014 | Co-Primary Investigator with Kaczmarek, L., Reciprocal Imitation Training: A Parent Implemented Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Funded by the University of Pittsburgh, School of Education (Award: $3,000).
Student of the Year Award, 2012
School of Education, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Fellowship, 2009 – 2011
Funded through Association of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA.