PhD (Applied Behaviour Analysis) @ Endicott College

BCBA-D

BACB, Authorised Continuing Education (ACE) Provider

ABAI Verified Course Sequence Instructor, BCBA 5th Edition

Associate Lecturer, Master of ABA @ Monash Univeristy

Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism @ Russell Sage College

Graduate Certificate in Applied Behaviour Analysis @ Florida Institute of Technology

NDIS Behaviour Support Practitoner (Specialist Level)

ABAI Member

APBA Member

ABA practitioner since 2007

Deshpande, M., Cauchi, J., & Gerhardt, P. (2025). The SAFER tool: Promoting independence and safety in sexual education for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Sexuality and Disability

Gerhardt, P. F., Cauchi, J., & Deshpande, M. (2025). Sexuality on the spectrum: Strategies for education and advocacy, ABA Technologies. https://abatechnologies.com/sexuality-on-the-spectrum

Gerhardt, P. F., McNulty, A, Pentland, B & Deshpande, M. (2025). Behavior-analytic intervention in human sexuality and sexuality education, In Roane, H. S., Ringdahl, J. E., Falcomata, T. S., & Sullivan, W. (Eds.) Clinical and Organizational Applications of Applied Behavior Analysis. Academic Press.

Fuhrmann-Knowles, A., Deshpande, M., & Leaf, J. B. (2024). A systematic literature review of group contingencies with adults. Behavioral Interventions, e2027.

Tereshko, L., Gerhardt, P. F., Mason, B. K., & Deshpande, M. (2024). Finding your community through leisure. In K. Dyer, M. J. Weiss, L. Tereshko, & A. Linnehan (Eds.), Perspectives on neurodiversity and belonging: Reflections for behavior analysts (p. 185). Sloan Publishing

Gerhardt, P. F., Bahry, S., Driscoll, N., Cauchi, J., Mason, B. K., Deshpande, M. (2023). Adulthood Begins in Preschool: Meaningful Curriculum in Support of Increased Independence for Individuals with Autism. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 213–223.

Deshpande, M., Weil, L., Renshaw, E., Duyile, L., & Cox, D. J. (in review). Bridging behavioural pharmacology and behaviour analysis: A guide to developing practical medication data collection tools for practitioners. Behavior Analysis in Practice.

Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis @Monash University

NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner (Provisional)

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) @Western Sydney University

ABAA member

Certified in Horticultural Therapy: Can design vocational skill acquisition programs related to gardening

Experienced in delivering behaviour support in home, school, preschool, and community settings

Worked with individuals aged 2 to 25 from early intervention to young adult programs

Experienced in implementing behaviour analytical interventions across homes and schools

Experienced in presenting to parent groups on emotional regulation, anxiety, and behaviour change procedures

Implements capacity building programs that develop communication, executive functioning, and social skills

Skilled in building strong rapport with families to support consistent, individualised intervention

NDISQSC Guidelines, Rules and Standards

Incident Register

Conflict of Interest Register

Complaints and Feedback Register

Disaster Management

Proactive Logger - Mobile Browser App

Risk Management Register

Employee Training Register

Continuous Improvement Register

Induction Checklist

Organisational Risk Register

Evidence-based decision making is linked to better outcomes as the decisions are objectively made using facts and behavioural data rather than assumptions, personal bias, or opinion.

The reliability and validity of data driven decision making leads to increased efficiency and effectiveness in achieving desired outcomes.

Using evidence to drive decisions increases transparency as it makes it possible to retrace the steps taken to make those decisions.

Finally, evidence-based decisions promote a forward-thinking approach enabling us to plan more effectively and proactively. As a result concrete data provides the means to measure progress and determine whether strategies are effective, allowing for adjustments and continuous improvement.

Acknowledging each participant's individual needs, we strategically design meaningful goals that help individuals acquire skills that support autonomy, independence, self-identity and capacity for self-advocacy while considering their current and future environments.

Our plans are designed to foster growth in adaptive and functional skills.

By integrating this comprehensive approach, we equip our participants with the tools necessary to overcome challenges and increase autonomy, preparing them to confidently navigate their future.

Engaging multiple stakeholders to monitor participants with disabilities leads to comprehensive and collaborative support, ensuring various aspects of the client's needs are addressed effectively.

The diverse perspectives brought by these stakeholders offer more informed decision-making, leading to improved quality of support.

The heightened accountability, a consequence of this multi-organizational oversight, reduces potential neglect or misuse of power, thereby enhancing service standards.

The environment of checks and balances also ensures robust performance of responsibilities by all involved.

A collaborative system allows for early detection of issues and timely intervention, be it health, behavioral, or living condition concerns, thus providing better and more immediate care for the participants.

Skills Based Assessments and Treatment

Functional Behaviour Assessments

Behaviour Management Protocols

Interim & Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plans

Data Collection & Progress Reporting

Caregiver Training

Training & Consultation with External Service Providers

Community Based Supports

Provider/Implementor Training

Participant advocacy around Behaviour Support at the Guardianship Hearings

Participant advocacy around Behaviour Support at the Department of Education meetings

Participant advocacy around Behaviour Support at the Department of Health consultations

Representation at the Restrictive Practice Authorisation Panels

Mental Health ICU Staff Training

Expert witness, Federal Circuit and Family Courts of Australia

BACB Supervised Independent Fieldwork

RBT Competency Assessments

ACE Provider for CEU Workshops

Journal Clubs - Group and Individual supervision, CEUs

BACB Exam Prep