Dr. Cathy Pratt is the Director of the Indiana Resource Center for Autism at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC) located at Indiana University since 1992. IRCA is a statewide program that works to build local capacity for families and professionals to address the needs of individuals on the autism spectrum across the lifespan. This is done through training, consultations, coaching, research, and information development and dissemination. She has also been a key player in autism legislation in Indiana.
Dr. Pratt coordinates the Autism Special Interest Group (SIG) through the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD). Dr. Pratt serves on numerous Advisory Boards, including the Advisory Boards of Maap Services, Inc., the Temple Grandin/Eustacia Cutler Autism Fund and the College Internship Program. In the past, she served on the Board of the national Autism Society and is the Immediate Past Chair. Dr. Pratt also serves on the Panel of Professional Advisors for the Autism Society and is currently involved in their strategic planning. In the past, she served on the government relations committee.
Dr. Pratt is co-chair of NATTAP (Network of Autism Training and Technical Assistance Programs). In addition, she is a member of the National Autism Leadership Collaboration. Dr. Pratt served on the advisory board for the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders grant funded through the US Department of Education and on the advisory board for the Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (CSESA); a project funded by IES. In addition, she was on the board for the National Standards Project thru the National Autism Center which produced a document articulating evidence-based practices.
Dr. Pratt has been involved in the Learn the Signs, Act Early project in conjunction with Indiana’s LEND program, Riley Child Development Center. Dr. Pratt has been a reviewer for grants for the National Institutes for Health. She has also consulted with the Social Security Administration on services, and was involved in developing a document with the Institute on Rehabilitation Issues focused on Autism. She also served as a member of the expert working group on services and as a member of the public review committee for the Research Roadmap of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee and in 2010 was invited to the White House to provide feedback on the president’s initiatives on autism spectrum disorders.
Dr. Pratt has been honored by the Autism Society with the Individual Achievement Award, with the 2005 Princeton Fellowship Award, and with various awards through NYFAC (New York Families for Autistic Children, Inc.), including recognition from the United States House of Representatives. In 2008, Dr. Pratt was awarded with the Distinguished Service Award by the Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education. Dr. Pratt was the Shibles Distinguished Visiting Professor in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Maine. Dr. Pratt earned her BCBA and is now a board certified behavior analyst.
Dr. Pratt has taken the lead on two initiatives in the state of Indiana. First, she is currently working with IU Health on facilitating a closer working relationship between schools, medical providers and families. The second initiative addresses the state of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in Indiana. She writes and presents internationally on the following topics: autism spectrum disorders, functional behavior assessment/positive behavior supports, applied behavior analysis, instructional approaches, evidence-based practices, systems change, and policy. Prior to pursuing her doctorate at Indiana University, Dr. Pratt worked as a classroom teacher for students across the autism spectrum and with other disabilities.
Learn more about Dr. Cathy Pratt and the Indiana Resource Center for Autism.
Dr. Pratt coordinates the Autism Special Interest Group (SIG) through the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD). Dr. Pratt serves on numerous Advisory Boards, including the Advisory Boards of Maap Services, Inc., the Temple Grandin/Eustacia Cutler Autism Fund and the College Internship Program. In the past, she served on the Board of the national Autism Society and is the Immediate Past Chair. Dr. Pratt also serves on the Panel of Professional Advisors for the Autism Society and is currently involved in their strategic planning. In the past, she served on the government relations committee.
Dr. Pratt is co-chair of NATTAP (Network of Autism Training and Technical Assistance Programs). In addition, she is a member of the National Autism Leadership Collaboration. Dr. Pratt served on the advisory board for the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders grant funded through the US Department of Education and on the advisory board for the Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (CSESA); a project funded by IES. In addition, she was on the board for the National Standards Project thru the National Autism Center which produced a document articulating evidence-based practices.
Dr. Pratt has been involved in the Learn the Signs, Act Early project in conjunction with Indiana’s LEND program, Riley Child Development Center. Dr. Pratt has been a reviewer for grants for the National Institutes for Health. She has also consulted with the Social Security Administration on services, and was involved in developing a document with the Institute on Rehabilitation Issues focused on Autism. She also served as a member of the expert working group on services and as a member of the public review committee for the Research Roadmap of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee and in 2010 was invited to the White House to provide feedback on the president’s initiatives on autism spectrum disorders.
Dr. Pratt has been honored by the Autism Society with the Individual Achievement Award, with the 2005 Princeton Fellowship Award, and with various awards through NYFAC (New York Families for Autistic Children, Inc.), including recognition from the United States House of Representatives. In 2008, Dr. Pratt was awarded with the Distinguished Service Award by the Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education. Dr. Pratt was the Shibles Distinguished Visiting Professor in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Maine. Dr. Pratt earned her BCBA and is now a board certified behavior analyst.
Dr. Pratt has taken the lead on two initiatives in the state of Indiana. First, she is currently working with IU Health on facilitating a closer working relationship between schools, medical providers and families. The second initiative addresses the state of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in Indiana. She writes and presents internationally on the following topics: autism spectrum disorders, functional behavior assessment/positive behavior supports, applied behavior analysis, instructional approaches, evidence-based practices, systems change, and policy. Prior to pursuing her doctorate at Indiana University, Dr. Pratt worked as a classroom teacher for students across the autism spectrum and with other disabilities.
Learn more about Dr. Cathy Pratt and the Indiana Resource Center for Autism.