Philip Smith, PhD

Philip Smith, PhD is Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Smith's work at The Boggs Center involves participation in a variety of projects designed to increase the capacity of NJ based programs to effectively support individuals who present significant behavioral challenges. In addition to managing the training and technical assistance activities for a statewide pilot program to establish new residential options for individuals with extreme behavior difficulties who have previously been referred out of state, he is collaborating in the expansion of Positive Behavior Support training activities for agencies across the state.

Dr. Smith obtained his PhD in Clinical Psychology from the New School for Social Research in New York City, and prior to joining The Boggs Center spent 9 years at the Westchester Institute for Human Development, (a NY sister agency to The Boggs Center), where he worked extensively in the area of Positive Behavior Support. This included the delivery of training and technical assistance to schools and residential treatment programs across the state, as well as collaboration with the New York Autism Network (a state funded program).

He has collaborated in the development of a Positive Behavior Support training curriculum for school-based teams, along with a “Train the Trainers” program, provided technical assistance to the State Education Department and the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, regarding Functional Behavior Assessment, Positive Behavior Support, and services to individuals with Autism, and assisted in a statewide assessment of early intervention programs for children with autism.

Dr. Smith is also a co-author of the book Positive Strategies for Students with Behavior Problems, which provides an overview of Functional Behavior Assessment and Positive Behavior Intervention Planning in school settings. He has conducted educational seminars on this material at several national conferences.

Work Address:
The Boggs Center
P.O. Box 2688
New Brunswick, NJ 08903-2688

Phone: 732-235-9328
FAX: 732-235-9330
Email: phil.smith@umdnj.edu