Vicci Tucci’s history influenced her development of the Competent Learner Model (CLM) as a BCBA. Vicci’s desire to help create a nation of competent learners and engage with other professionals; who often became lifelong friends and colleagues, helped shape the CLM throughout the years.
Dr. Joyce Tu, PhD, BCBA-D is one of many highly regarded Behavior Analysts who is known for her diverse portfolio of accomplishments in the field of ABA. Like Vicci, Dr. Tu attended West Virginia University (Go Mountaineers!) to study psychology. She received her doctorate in educational psychology specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis. She has over 25 years of experience as an ABA practitioner, educator, and business leader on a global level.
Dr. Tu is the current President of the B.F. Skinner Foundation; Vice President of Clinical Transformations, Autism Services for Easterseals Southern California; and Founder and CEO of ABA Unlimited, a behavior analysis continuing education provider.
The CLM is designed on B.F. Skinner’s ideas of using non-coercive practices; instead the use of positive reinforcement and procedures are used. Positive reinforcement increases the desired behavior. For example, if a teenager completes their chores at home for a week, they get a movie night of their choice. Vicci was also influenced by Skinner’s research about verbal behavior in regard to early language learning.
Dr. Tu’s research is primarily on verbal behavior. She has been a professor at Cal State University Los Angeles, Ball State University, Florida Institute of Technology, and Beijing University.
In 2019 Dr. Tu and Vicci Tucci both presented at the International Symposium on Rehabilitation & Advocacy for Autism in Beijing, China.
In 2022 CLMers around the world had the wonderful opportunity to hear Dr. Tu’s presentation titled, Teaching Challenge of Joint Control at the International CLM Conference in Clarion, Pennsylvania.
Thank you Dr. Tu for your support of Vicci and the CLM over the years.
Vicci Tucc, BCBAi & long time colleague Dr. Joyce Tu, BCBA-D
ABAI’s Students’ Right to Effective Education: Fundamentally and Foundationally Embedded in the Competent Learner Model This is the second in a three part series looking at how the Competent Learner