Dr. Shannon Ward has over 20 years of experience applying learning principles to enhance behaviors in children and adolescents with and without disabilities. She began her career as a therapist in home settings, then worked as a special education teacher following her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education from Saint Louis University. Dr. Ward also supported individuals with severe challenging behavior in a residential setting at The New England Center for Children. Her experience includes serving as a Lead Consultant at FTF Behavioral Consulting Services, where she focused on training and consultation to build capacity across organizations in behavior-analytic assessment and treatment. She is currently the Clinical Director at the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Special Education, operated by The New England Center for Children located in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Ward holds a master’s and a doctorate degree in behavior analysis from Western New England University. Her research interests include the assessment and treatment of problem behavior, functional communication training, caregiver and staff training, and the social validity of assessment and treatment services. Her current research focuses on assent practices in early childhood, staff training, and her dissertation examined the development of specific mands following an omnibus mand.