Dr. Adrienne Fitzer is the founder, CEO, and sole owner of The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC, an online continuing education and professional development program provider. Dr. Fitzer current functions as ABAC’s Director of Continuing Education and she is an Advisor of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies.
Since 2015, Adrienne has curated the highly regarded ABAC webinars and workshops, coached presenters, moderated over 500 live public and private online events (with over 1000 hours of live online hosting and moderating experience) and has succeeded in building a strong strategic partnerships with the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, The ABAI Verbal Behavior Special Interest Group, and other non-for profit and for-profit organizations.
Education and Scholarship
Adrienne received her doctorate in psychology with a specialization in behavior analysis under the advisement of Bertram Ploog, PhD at The Graduate Center, City University of New York, her master’s degree in psychology under the supervision of Lanny Fields, PhD at Queens College, City University of New York, and has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2003. As a student at the University of Maryland, she entered the field of behavior analysis in 1996 working with children with autism in the Washington DC Metro Area. In 1998, she moved back to NJ to work at Alpine Learning Group for one year before deciding to apply to graduate school. Adrienne left school “all but dissertation” (ABD) in 2008 with publications in the Journal of Experimental Analysis of Behavior and having co-edited Autism Spectrum Disorders: Applied Behavior Analysis, Evidence and Practice with Peter Sturmey, PhD, which was published by Pro-ed in 2007. In 2009, she and Professor Sturmey co-edited their second book together, Language and Autism: Applied Behavior Analysis, Evidence and Practice, also published by Pro-Ed, while pursuing a career as a behavior analyst in public schools.
Starting ABAC
In 2013, Adrienne left full-time work and started The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC (ABAC). When this first iteration of the business failed, Adrienne decided to leave the field for the first time in almost twenty years to work as a nature teacher at a camp and then at a local farm, doing whatever she was asked to do. Soon she was providing behavior skills training to teach others how to operate the doughnut machine and running farm tours with preschool and kindergarten age children (which she continues to do when asked). At the beginning of 2015, Adrienne returned to ABAC with renewed energy and the great idea to provide high-quality instructional opportunities to professionals on a global level. Her mission since the beginning has been to share valuable information about, and provide personalized, high-quality training in, ethical, effective, and evidence-based solutions that improve performance, communication, safety, and quality of life, to professionals who work in the fields of behavioral health, mental health, education, business, and beyond.
Giving Back
From the early ABAC years until now, Adrienne has committed to giving back to the community. In addition to raising money for various charities through the ABACGives Webinar Series, Adrienne enjoys mentoring students and early professionals, and writing “Fitzer’s Corner” a blog that primarily focuses on the ethical use of information and communication technology for behavioral and mental health professionals, business ethics, and inspiring others to step back and take the road less traveled. In addition, since 2020, she offers free coaching to graduate students who are presenting at a conference for the first time.
Adrienne Fitzer Publications and Presentations
Adrienne Fitzer: Recent Announcements
ABAC. (2021, January 15). Adrienne Fitzer Successfully Defends Dissertation. Author.
Learn more about Adrienne Fitzer and the ABAC Team
Adrienne Fitzer: Books and Manuals
Conner, C., & Fitzer, A. (2019). What is ABA?. Roadmap to ABA: Parent training program. Paradigm Behavior.
Sturmey, P., & Fitzer, A. (Eds). (2013). Autism Spectrum Disorders; Applied Behavior Analysis, Evidence and Practice. www.abacnj.com.
Fitzer, A., & Sturmey, P. (Eds). (2009). Language Acquisition; Applied Behavior Analysis, Evidence and Practice. Austin: Pro-Ed.
Sturmey, P., & Fitzer, A. (Eds). (2007). Autism Spectrum Disorders; Applied Behavior Analysis, Evidence and Practice. Austin: Pro-Ed.
Adrienne Fitzer: Journal Publications
Fields, L., Tittelbach, D., Shamoun, K., Fitzer, A., Watanabe, M., & Matneja, P. (2007). The effect of training variables on the formation of linked perceptual classes. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 87, 97-119.
Fields, L., Fitzer, A., Shamoun, K., Matneja, P., Wantanabe, M., & Tittelback, D. (2005). The effect of test schedules on the formation of linked perceptual classes. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 84, 243-267.
Fields, L., Reeve, K.F., Matneja, P., Belanich, J., Varelas, A., Fitzer, A., & Shamoun, K. (2002). The formation of generalized categorization repertoires: Effect of multiple domain, sample, and comparison training. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 78, 291-313.
Fields, L., Matneja, P., Varelas, A., Belanich, J., Fitzer, A., & Shamoun, K. (2002).The formation of linked perceptual classes. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior,78, 271-290.
Adrienne Fitzer, Other Publications
Adrienne Fitzer’s publications and presentations are developed in her ABAC studio. Through 2022 blog posts were found on abacnj.com. All currently available blogs are found on press.abacnj.com. Some titles have been updated from the original. Some dates listed for certain blogs on press.abacnj.com do not reflect the original publication date. Dates below are accurate.
Fitzer, A. (2021, July 7). Present moment focus as self-care. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2021, July 2). Seems like you burned yourself out. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2021, June 17). What is success? ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2021, April 16). Be joyfully productive. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2021, April 9). To-do list: Trash it! and Try the “I Did It” list. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2021, March 26). Business Ethics for business owners- Part 4: Finding inspiration in the social workers’ ethics code. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2021, March 19). Business Ethics for ousiness owners -Part 3: Preparing to write business ethics. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2021, March 12). Business Ethics for business owners: Part 2- Your role as a leader. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2021, March 4). Business Ethics: What are they? ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2021, January 15). Social media and client confidentiality: A 2021 update. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2021, January 4). On the update to the BACB ethics code. (Renamed BACB Ethics Code: What Does the New Code Mean for Professional Practice?) ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2019, December, 23). The posts I wanted to write but couldn’t. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2019, December 11). Difficulty Delegating Tasks to Staff? You are not alone. ABAC. Archived
Fitzer, A. (2018, October 3). On being. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2018, July 13). Invest…in yourself. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2018, July 7). Effective communication: Don’t share that meme. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2018, June 20). What Adrienne Learned When she Stopped Writing for Fitzer’s Corner Blog for a Year. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2018, June 7). What Adrienne learned from getting to ABAicon18 way later than everyone else: It won’t be what you think. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2017, May 26). What Adrienne learned from presenting at ABAicon2017: It won’t be what you expect. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2017, April 28). Read the Speakers Series: Nancy Neef, PhD. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2017, March 31). Small Business Owners you are Not Alone. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2017, March 23). Don’t Just Assume it is a “Motivation Issue”. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2017, March 10). Is sharing a photograph or video of a client or student online unethical? ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2017, March 3). You just sent me confidential information I have no business seeing. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2017, February 3). Asking for and giving treatment recommendations online: Don’t do it. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2017, January 27). Social media and client confidentiality: Are you violating your ethics code? ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2017, January 20). Answers to ques. often asked by new & “been out of touch for a bit” BCBAs. ABAC. Archived.
Fitzer, A. (2017, January 13). Read the Speakers Series: Bridget Taylor, PsyD, LP, BCBA-D. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2016, November 10). A Taste of Research List 6: ABA and Diversity. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2016, November 4). A Taste of Research List 5b: ABA and dissemination. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2016, October 28). A Taste of Research List 5a: The best stuff in journals isn’t always research. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2016, October 21). A Taste of Research List 4: ABA and some really interesting Applications. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2016, October 14). A taste of research List 3: ABA and a month of awareness. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2016, October 7). A taste of research: List 2- ABA and making the world a better place to live, love, and work. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2016, September 27). A taste of research: List 1- ABA in general education settings. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2016, September 27). A taste of research: Why am I posting a “beyond ABA and autism” series of lists? ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2016, June 1). What I learned at ABAi2016: It won’t be what you think. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2016, May 10). On the Ethics of Curiosity: Observing Behavior at the Voyeur’s Hotel. Behavioral Science in the 21st Century. https://bsci21.org/on-the-ethics-of-curiosity-observing-behavior-at-the-voyeurs-motel/
Fitzer, A. (2016, Original publication date unknown). The Invisible Disability Cloak: A Call to Action for Anyone Who Works with Children. ABAC.
Fitzer, A. (2015, January 15). For BCBAs, teachers, and staff: When reinforcement is not the answer. Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bcbas-school-personnel-when-reinforcement-answer-fitzer-ma-bcba/
Fitzer, A. (2015, January 1). The best motivational quotes to start off 2015. Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/best-motivational-quotes-start-off-2015-adrienne-fitzer-ma-bcba/
Fitzer, A. (2014, August). Life changing…cucumbers.Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140825034056-50566138-life-changing-cucumbers/
Fitzer, A. (2014, June 19). Stepping out of the office to improve. Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140619201026-50566138-stepping-out-of-the-offi ce-to-improve/
Fitzer, A. (2014, June 11). The conversation all business owners and executives need to know people are having. Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140611014004-50566138-the-conversation-all-business-executives-and-owners-need-to-know-people-are-having/
Fitzer, A. (2014, June 6). Should we talk about autism on Linkedin?Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140606114518-50566138-should-we-talk-about-autism-on-linkedin/
Fitzer, A. (2014, June 2). Writing goals and objectives for parent training. Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140602160213-50566138-writing-goals-and-objectives-for-parent-training/ Can also be found on press.abacnj.com
Fitzer, A. (2014, May 23). 7 things small business owners can actually “do” daily. Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140529135240-50566138-7-things-small-business-owners-can-actually-do-daily/ Can also be found on press.abacnj.com
Fitzer, A. (2014, May 23). Parent training-the key to the successful education of a child with autism? Nope-try again.Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140523200605-50566138-parent-training-the-key-t o-the-successful-education-of-a-child-with-autism-nope-try-again/ Can also be found on press.abacnj.com
Fitzer, A. (2014, April 11). Help them recognize the “I did it!” moments. ABAC. Archived.
Fitzer, A. (2013, September 10). A few pointers going into the new school year. ABAC. Archived.
Adrienne Fitzer Presentations
Fitzer, A. (2023, June). Creating and maintaining a website using an ethical framework. Presentation for the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies Distinguished Scholars, online webinar.
Fitzer, A. (2019, July-August). Data Collection & Visual Analysis in Applied Behavior Analysis: A Four-Part Course for Post-Certification Behavior Analysts. The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC. (ABAC), online webinar.
O’Donnell, R., Doyle, A., Lusby-Donovan, E. & Fitzer, A. (2019, May) Expanding beyond autism: Developing solutions through entrepreneurship and design. Panel presented at the Annual Convention of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, Chicago, IL
Fitzer, A. (2019, March). Data collection in ABA: Current trends, research updates, and planning for 2022. The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC. (ABAC), online webinar.
Fitzer, A. (2019, February). Starting and running an ethical business or practice: An Introduction for Behavioral Health Professionals. The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC. (ABAC), online webinar.
Fitzer, A. (2018, October). Starting and running an ethical business or practice: An introduction for behavioral health professionals. The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC (ABAC), online webinar.
Fitzer, A. (2018, June). Creating and maintaining an ethical website for behavioral health professionals. The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC (ABAC), online webinar.
Kelly, A., Fitzer, A., Cantu, G., & O’Donnell, R. (2018, May) Behaviorism in the Great Beyond: A Panel on the Dissemination of Behavioral Analysis. Panel presented at the Annual Convention of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, San Diego, CA
Fitzer, A. (2018, May) Information and communication technology in the workplace: Ethical and professional implications for behavioral health, mental health, medical health and education professionals.The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC (ABAC), online webinar.
Fitzer, A. (2018, March) “Defining Success: A Behavior Analyst’s Take on Ethical Business Ownership. Presented at the 2018 Women in Behavior Analysis Conference, Nashville, TN
Fitzer, A. (2017, September) Information and communication technology in the workplace: Ethical and professional implications for behavioral health, mental health, medical health and education professionals.The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC (ABAC), online webinar.
Fitzer, A. (2017, August) Updated for 2017! Data collection in ABA: Trends, controversies, and really recent research updates.The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC (ABAC), online webinar.
Fitzer, A. (2017, July). Creating and maintaining an ethical website for behavioral health professionals. The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC (ABAC), online webinar.
Fitzer, A. (2017, June) Updated for 2017! Data collection in ABA: Trends, controversies, and really recent research updates.The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC (ABAC), online webinar.
Fitzer, A. (2017, June) Information and communication technology in the workplace: Ethical and professional implications for behavioral health, mental health, medical health and education professionals.The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC (ABAC), online webinar.
Sturmey, P., Fitzer, A., & Jones, M. (2017, May). The business of applied behavior analysis: Setting up, growing, and maintaining applied behavior analysis businesses. Workshop presented at the Annual Convention of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, Denver, CO.
Fitzer, A. (2017, April). Creating and maintaining an ethical website for behavioral health professionals. The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC (ABAC), online webinar.
Fitzer, A. (2016, April). Data collection in ABA: Current trends, research updates, and the new Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC (ABAC), online webinar.
Fitzer, A. (2016, February). Data collection in ABA: Current trends, research updates, and the new Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC (ABAC), online webinar.
Fitzer, A. (2015, October). Data collection in ABA: Current trends, research updates, and the new Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC (ABAC), online webinar.
Fitzer, A. (2015, June). Data collection in ABA: Current trends, research updates, and the new Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. The Applied Behavior Analysis Center, LLC (ABAC), online webinar.
Fitzer, A. (2013, Oct). ABA by the numbers. A “On caring for your family member with special needs” workshop on data collection for parents and professionals. Sponsored by MetroWest ABLE, Scotch Plains, NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2011, June). Staff behavior during circle time and small group teaching. A workshop and hands-on training for teachers and paraprofessional staff working in an ABA preschool program, Millburn, NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2011, June). Behavior and Reinforcement: Part 3. A workshop and hands-on training for teachers and paraprofessional staff working in an ABA preschool program, Millburn, NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2011, May). Behavior and Reinforcement: Part 2. A workshop for teachers and paraprofessional staff working in an ABA preschool program, Millburn, NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2011, May). Behavior and Reinforcement: Part 1. A workshop for teachers and paraprofessional staff working in an ABA preschool program, Millburn, NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2011, May). Teaching skills on the playground. A workshop and hands-on training for teachers and paraprofessional staff working in an ABA preschool program, Millburn, NJ.
Fitzer, A., & Mesopotanese, C. (2011, April). Meeting the needs of behaviorally challenging students. District paraprofessional inservice, Millburn, NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2011, March). Generalization and Maintenance. A workshop for teachers and paraprofessional staff working in an ABA preschool program, Millburn, NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2011, February). Prompting and Fading. A workshop for teachers and paraprofessional staff working in an ABA preschool program, Millburn, NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2011, February). Applied Behavior Analysis: Behavioral Approaches to Working with Learners with Autism. Presentation conducted at the Jewish Community Center Special Needs Conference, Scotch Plains, NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2011, January). Promoting Social Interactions with Learners with Special Needs. Invited speaker for the Jewish Community Center Teen Action Service Corp., Scotch Plains, NJ.)
Fitzer, A. (2011, January). Teaching Complex Chains of Behavior. A workshop for teachers and paraprofessional staff working in an ABA preschool program, Millburn, NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2011, January). IOA and Generalization. A workshop for teachers and paraprofessional staff working in an ABA preschool program, Millburn, NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2010, November). Applied Behavior Analysis: Behavioral Approaches to Working with Learners with Autism. Paraprofessional staff in-service.
Millburn, NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2010, May) Imitation. A workshop for teachers and paraprofessional staff working in an ABA preschool program, Millburn, NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2010, May). Generalization and Language. A workshop for teachers and paraprofessional staff working in an ABA preschool program, Millburn, NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2010, January). Independent Activity Schedules. A workshop for teachers and paraprofessional staff working in an ABA preschool program, Millburn. NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2009, October). Communicative Behavior: A Review of ABA, VB and Common Terms Used to Label the Ways We Communicate. A workshop for teachers and paraprofessional staff working in an ABA preschool program, Millburn, NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2009, October). Using Graphs to Track Data and Monitor Progress. A workshop for teachers and paraprofessional staff working in an ABA preschool
program, Millburn, NJ.
Fitzer, A. (2009, March). Positive Behavior Supports. Teacher and paraprofessional staff in-service. Millburn, NJ.
Benedetto, C., & Fitzer, A. (2007, March) Prompt, Wait, and Fade. Paraprofessional staff in-service, Millburn, NJ.
Benedetto, C, & Fitzer, A. (2006, November). Intervention Strategies for Children with Special Needs and Data Collection. Paraprofessional staff inservice, Millburn, NJ.
Fitzer, A., Shamoun, K., Wantanabe, M., & Fields, L. (2003, May). Effect of Testing on the Immediate Emergence of Linked Perceptual Classes In L. Fields (Chair), The Formation, Maintenance and Breakdown of Linked Perceptual Classes. Symposium conducted at the annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, San Francisco, CA.
Shamoun, K., Fitzer, A., Wantanabe, M., & Fields, L. (2003, May). Effects of Testing Schedules on the Delayed Emergence, Maintenance and Breakdown of Linked Perceptual Classes. In L. Fields (Chair), The Formation, Maintenance and Breakdown of Linked Perceptual Classes. Symposium conducted at the annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, San Francisco, CA.
Wantanabe, M., Shamoun, K., Fitzer, A., & Fields, L. (2003, May). Effect of Training on the Immediate Emergence of Linked Perceptual Classes. In L. Fields (Chair), The Formation, Maintenance and Breakdown of Linked Perceptual Classes. Symposium conducted at the annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, San Francisco, CA.
Fitzer, A., Shamoun, K. Matneja, P, & Fields, L. (2002, May). Parameters that influence the immediate and delayed emergence of linked perceptual classes. In L. Fields (Chair), Factors that influence generalized categorization repertoires, generalized transitivity repertoires, and linked perceptual classes. Symposium conducted at the annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Toronto, Canada.
Shamoun, K., Fitzer, A. DeRosse, P. & Fields, L. (2002, May) Effects of serial and concurrent testing on the emergence of a generalized categorization. In L. Fields (Chair) Factors that influence generalized categorization repertoires, generalized transitivity repertoires, and linked perceptual classes. Symposium conducted at the annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Toronto, Canada