Our Directors
We are founded by GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED EXPERTS
Dr. Ronald Leaf (Ph.D.)
Co-founder and Director
Dr. John McEachin (Ph.D.)
Co-founder and Director
Toby Mountjoy (MSc, BCBA)
Director
Eng. Ghosson Al Khaled
Co-founder and Director of AP-Kuwait
Vu Calvin Tran (M. Ed.)
Site & Clinical Director, Kuwait
Co-founder and Director
Dr. Ronald Leaf is a licensed psychologist who has over forty years of experience in the field of autism. Dr. Leaf began his career working with Professor Ivar Lovaas, while receiving his undergraduate degree at UCLA. Subsequently, he received his doctorate under the direction of Prof. Lovaas. During his years at UCLA, he served as Clinic Supervisor, Research Psychologist, Lecturer and Interim Director of the Young Autism Project. He was extensively involved in several research investigations, contributed to “The Me Book”, and is a co-author of “The Me Book” Videotapes, a series of instructional tapes for teaching autistic children. Dr. Leaf has consulted to families, schools, day programs and residential facilities on a national and international basis. Dr. Leaf is also the Executive Director of Behavior Therapy and Learning Centre, a mental health agency that consults with parents, care-providers and school personnel. Dr. leaf is co-author of “A Work In Progress”, “Time for School”, “It Has to Be Said”, “Crafting Connections” and “A Work In Progress Companion Series”.
Co-founder and Director
John McEachin is a licensed psychologist who has been providing behavioral intervention to children with autism as well as adolescents and adults with a wide range of developmental disabilities for more than forty years. He received his graduate training under Professor Ivar Lovaas at UCLA on the Young Autism Project. During his 11 years at UCLA, Dr. McEachin served in various roles including Clinic Supervisor, Research and Teaching Assistant, and Acting Director. His research has included the long-term follow-up study of young autistic children who received intensive behavioral treatment, which was published in 1993. In 1994 he joined with Ron Leaf in forming Autism Partnership, which they co-direct. In 1999 they published A Work in Progress, a widely used behavioral treatment manual and curriculum for children with autism. Dr. McEachin has lectured throughout the world and co-authored numerous books and research articles. He consults regularly to families, agencies, and school districts, assisting in the development of treatment programs and providing training to parents, group home staff, and classroom personnel.
Director
Mr. Toby Mountjoy is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and holds a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. With over 20 years of experience working with individuals with ASD, he has been extensively trained by Dr. Ronald Leaf, Dr. Mitchell Taubman and Dr. John McEachin. Besides overseeing the Autism Partnership operation in Hong Kong, Korea, Philippines and Singapore with over 100 staff, including psychologists, consultants and therapists, he has also provided consultations to school districts, agencies, and families worldwide. Mr. Mountjoy has also contributed chapters to publications such as “Sense & Nonsense” and “It’s Time for School”. In 2007, he founded the charitable Autism Partnership Foundation and Aoi Pui School to offer more services for children with Autism.
Co-founder and Director of AP-Kuwait
Eng. Ghosson is a highly educated and successful professional woman who is gaining prominence throughout the Middle East. Eng. Ghosson was graduated with honors; a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and construction management from Kuwait University, followed by a master’s degree in building science from the University of Southern California. Eng. Ghosson is the Deputy CEO for ACICO Industries Group. A part of her humanitarian and social role, Eng. Ghosson decided to establish AP center in Kuwait in December 2015, believing in the importance of early intervention treatment for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), besides meeting the growing need to provide treatment opportunities for autism within the Kuwaiti community.
Site & Clinical Director, Kuwait
Vu Tran started working with children and adolescents with developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2008. He provided intervention in a variety of settings including high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools helping students integrate into classroom settings. Vu joined Autism Partnership in 2013 in the United States providing direct services to children with ASD. Two years later, Vu was promoted as a consulting therapist for a child in Kuwait.
In 2015, Vu became a co-founding member of Autism Partnership in Kuwait. As Site Director, Vu is responsible for providing training and support for staff, developing curriculum, and overseeing intervention in the clinic and schools. Vu collaborates with Autism Partnership's International Consultant Team, which consists of Dr. Ronald Leaf, Toby Mountjoy, Jeremy Leaf, Dr. Christine Milne, and Zahira Ali. Vu received a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Psychology from San Diego State University in 2013 and a Master’s degree in Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis from Endicott University in 2021. He is currently pursuing his BCBA certification.