ANGELA B. BARBER, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor, University of Alabama
Curriculum Vitae
12390 Huntington Village Drive
Tel: (205) 246-6062
Northport, AL 35475
Email: abarber@bama.ua.edu
EDUCATION
Ph.D, Communication Disorders,
Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
Dissertation Title: The context of repetitive and stereotyped behaviors in young children with autism
spectrum disorders: Exploring triggers and functions
Summer 2008
M.S. Communication Science and Disorders,
Missouri State University Springfield, Missouri, May 2000
Graduate Project Title: The interrelationship between dysphagia, dementia, and malnutrition.
Graduate Assistantship: Project ACCESS: Missouri’s Educational Agency for Autism
B.S. Communication Science and Disorders, Missouri State University,
Springfield, Missouri, May 1998
PRIMARY RESEARCH INTERESTS




Early diagnostic markers of ASD (birth to three years)
Early social language interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders
The development and function of repetitive and stereotyped behaviors
The developmental relationship among the core diagnostic domains of autism spectrum
disorders (social interaction, communication, repetitive and restricted interests)
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Repetitive and Stereotyped Behaviors (RSB)
 Assisted in the development of an extensive research coding manual for RSB in young
children.
 Developed coding manual for identifying object and emotion triggers of RSB.
 Participated in three research manuscripts detailing findings on RSB in very young children
with ASD, DD, and TD.
Angela Barber, CV



Trained undergraduate reliability coders on RSB definitions and parameters to 80% average
reliability.
Coded behavior samples of young children for RSBs using Noldus Observer Pro® software
Completed research manuscript (preliminary research product): What are the differences in the
frequency, duration, and repertoire of repetitive and stereotyped behaviors (RSB) in children with
autism spectrum disorders (ASD) compared to typically developing (TD) children matched on mental
age?
Active engagement
 Code samples of children and families on parameters of active engagement (regulation,
productivity, support, and social communication).
Early Vocalizations
 Assisted in the development of coding definitions to discriminate vocalizations of young
children (18-36 months) with typical and atypical development.
 Trained undergraduate coders to become reliable on definitions.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Language Disorders (graduate)
Language Development (graduate)
Phonology and Articulation (graduate)
Language Disorders (graduate)
Foundations of Developmental Communication Disorders (graduate)
The Nature of Autism and Severe Communication Disorders (undergraduate and graduate levels)
Positive Behavior Support and Visual Strategies
Recurrent seminar for undergraduate and graduate courses including Infant and Toddler
Development, Autism, and Language Disorders
PRESENTATIONS
Barber, A., Wetherby, A.M., Watt, N., & Swineford, L, Chicago, IL, May 2009. The context of repetitive
and stereotyped behaviors in young children with autism: Exploring Functions. Posted presentation
at the International Meeting for Autism Research.
Barber, A., Tuscaloosa, AL, September 2008. Designing environments to promote social communication in
children with autism. Alabama Early Intervention Conference. Invited presentation.
2
Angela Barber, CV
Barber, A. and Moore, J., Tuscaloosa, AL, July 2008. How to use everyday situations to enhance
communication and social skills in children with ASD: Early childhood through school age. Cooper
Lecture Series. Invited presentation.
Wetherby, A., Morgan, L., Barber, A., Schatschneider, C., Bishop, S., Coffing, M., Risi, S., & Lord, C.,
Seattle, WA, May 2007. Measures of social communication and repetitive behaviors in children with
autism spectrum disorders in the second and third years of life. Poster presentation at the International
Meeting for Autism Research.
Plumb, A., Barber, A., Wetherby, A., Shumway, S., Kahn, S., Book, L., and McCoy, D. Seattle, WA, May
2007. Vocalizations in autism spectrum disorders between 18 and 24 months of age. Poster presentation
at the International Meeting for Autism Research.
Barber, A, Shumway, S., Wetherby, A., Watt, N., McCoy, D, Morgan, L. Boston, MA, March 2007.
Communication and Repetitive Behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders in the second year
of life. Poster presentation at the Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child
Development.
Barber, A., Watt., N. Wetherby, A., McCoy, D., & Morgan, L., Memphis, TN, February 2007. Repetitive
and stereotyped behavior in young children with autism spectrum disorders. Mid South Conference
on Communicative Disorders.
Shumway, S., Morgan, L., Wetherby, A., Barber, A., & Watt, N, Miami, FL, November 2006. Autism
Spectrum Disorders in the Second Year: Does the DSM-IV Fit? American Speech Language
Pathology National Conference.
Morgan, L., Wetherby, A., Barber, A., Petrak, R., Qiu, S., Risi, S., & Lord, C. Montreal, Canada, June
2006. Measures of repetitive behaviors using the CSBS DP in children with Autism Spectrum
Disorders in the second and third years of life. International Meeting for Autism Research.
Watt, N., Wetherby, A., Barber, A., McCoy, D., & Book, L. Montreal, Canada, June 2006. Repetitive and
stereotyped behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorders from 18 to 24 months. International Meeting for
Autism Research.
Barber, A. Pensacola, FL, September 2005. The role of the SLP in the diagnosis and treatment of autism
spectrum disorders under age three. Center for Pediatric Rehabilitation. (Invited).
Barber, A. Pensacola, FL, August 2004. Strategies to promote social communication in young children.
Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. (Invited).
Barber, A. Pensacola, FL, May 2003. Behavioral interventions and visual supports for young children with
autism. Autism Society of the Panhandle Meeting. (Invited).
3
Angela Barber, CV
MANUSCRIPTS
Barber, A., Wetherby, A., & Watt, N. Repetitive and stereotyped behaviors in young children with autism
spectrum disorders and mental-age matched typical peers. Manuscript in preparation.
Watt, N., Wetherby, A., Barber, A., & Morgan, L. (2008). Repetitive and stereotyped behaviors in children
with autism spectrum disorders in the second year of life. Journal of Autism and Developmental
Disorders.
Morgan, L., Wetherby, A., & Barber, A. (2008). Repetitive and stereotyped movements in children with autism
spectrum disorders late in the second year of life. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
HONORS AND AWARDS
University of Alabama Research Grants Committee (RGC) Grant Award
Title: Establishment of Joint Attention Intervention for UA Toddler Language Program”
April 2009
Tetnowski Family Endowment in Communication Disorders Recipient
November 2006
International Presentation Award, Congress of Graduate Students, Florida State University
May 2006
Professional of the Year, Awarded by the Autism Society of America Panhandle Branch
March 2004
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
American Speech-Language Hearing Association
ASHA Division 10: Issues in Higher Education
Autism Society of America
Autism Society of the Panhandle, Executive Board Member
Society for Research in Child Development
RELATED ACTIVITIES
Alabama Autism Task Force
Member, Early Screening and Diagnosis Sub-Committee
4