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About Us

The Institute for Educational Achievement (IEA) is a private, non-profit educational program for children, adolescents, and adults with autism. At IEA, we provide highly individualized instruction based on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis. Whether they are learning in the home, out in the community or in our facility, our goal is to instill all learners with the skills necessary for them to lead independent, productive, and happy lives.

Our Mission

We are dedicated to using the science of Applied Behavior Analysis to enable individuals with autism to live the happiest and most productive lives possible.

Professionally Trained Staff

IEA has an extraordinarily committed, professional, and passionate staff, each with a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree or higher and specialized training in ABA.

Customized Education Programs

Programs are built around students current capabilities, with custom goals and measurable outcomes.

Continued Skill Development

Our education does not stop at adolescence. We are committed to supporting students well into adulthood in order to ensure each student lives a happy, productive, and independent life. 

Learning Across Environments

We believe in a classroom without limits: That’s why our teaching occurs at IEA, in the homes, and in the communities where students live. 

Our Founding

The Institute for Educational Achievement (IEA) was founded in 1995 by the Brady, Fisher, and Lento families, who aspired to find the best possible education for their children and others affected by autism. They recruited Dr. Dawn Buffington Townsend to direct, and lead, the program. IEA opened its Education Program in 1996 and grew over the years, providing much needed educational services to children and adolescents. IEA has remained committed to providing individuals with autism a revolutionary, science-based experience since its inception. As a dissemination site of the Princeton Child Development Institute (a world leader in research and autism treatment) and a member of the Alliance for Scientific Autism Intervention, we employ the organizational and educational model proven to be effective through five decades of applied practice and research. IEA uses scientifically validated teaching procedures not only during instruction at our facility, but also at home with the learners and their families through our intensive Home Programming services. Our goal is to ensure that individuals with autism can fully participate in their families and communities.  We focus on the development of the practical and leisure skills that allow our students to function to the highest level of independence in their own families, homes, and communities. Additionally, IEA is dedicated to advocating effective science-based intervention so parents, professionals, and community members can better serve the autism community. Through research publications, presentations, and assorted community outreach efforts, we are committed to conducting and sharing our ongoing research for the betterment of the autism community.

Today, a team of dedicated enthusiasts have joined that effort as IEA continues to grow in success.

Leadership

Eric Rozenblat, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Executive Director

Eric Rozenblat, Ph.D., BCBA-D is the Executive Director of The Institute for Educational Achievement. He earned his Doctorate Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Caldwell University. He served on the Board of Directors for the New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis (NJABA), and has held numerous positions for the organization, including Representative-at-Large and President. He has presented at local and national conferences on various topics including differential schedules of reinforcement, staff training, joint attention, and promoting independence in individuals with autism. He has published work in peer-reviewed journals. His research interests include differential schedules of reinforcement, teaching joint attention skills to individuals with autism, and teaching language and social skills through script and script-fading procedures.

Donna De Feo, Ph.D.

Principal

Donna De Feo obtained her MA degree from Montclair State University, her Principal Certificate from the NJ Department of Education, and her Ph.D. in General Psychology, with an emphasis in Cognition and Instruction from Grand Canyon University. Dr. De Feo has been an integral part of IEA since its opening in 1996. She was one of the original teachers and is currently both Principal and Co-Director of the program. Dr. De Feo has extensive experience in delivering intervention services to individuals with autism, providing support to their families, disseminating information to the community, and training / supervising professional staff, including mentoring numerous Principal candidates. Dr. De Feo has played a major role in developing systems at IEA to ensure effective intervention services and has played a role in developing the employment skills of the adolescents at IEA. She has interfaced effectively with local community businesses and has been critically involved in securing a wide variety of employment experiences for the learners at IEA.

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Exciting News!

We are happy to report a new journal article publication in Behavior Analysis in Practice on System Components and Outcome Data from High‑Quality Service Delivery Organizations. This article is the result of the collaboration of the ASAI programs employing the systems initially deveoped by our mentors, Dr. Patricia Krantz and Dr. Lynn McClannahan.