Dr. Neely is an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She earned her Master’s in Education (emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism) and Doctorate (emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism) at Texas A&M University. Her current work focuses on integration of advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality into the assessment and treatment of problem behavior for individuals with autism, intellectual, and developmental disabilities.In pursuit of this goal, she teaches within the University of Texas at San Antonio’s ABA program, conducting meaningful and impactful ABA research, and serving the community through her expertise as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral Level (BCBA-D). 
Associate Professor in Educational Psychology ​
Associate Director ​of the Brain Health Consortium
Director of the Child and Adolescent Policy and Research Institute
UTSA Director of the San Antonio Applied Behavior Analysis Consortium 
l[email protected] 
UTSA Downtown Campus
Durango Building 4.336
Dr. Neely's Google Scholar Page

Dr. Neely's Research Foci

​Assessment and Treatment of Problem Behavior for Individuals with Autism and Developmental Disabilities
Dr. Neely's primary clinical expertise is in the assessment and treatment of problem behavior using the science of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Problem behavior is a top priority for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Problem behavior often interferes with social, educational, and communication opportunities, and leaves individuals isolated from their friends and families. Her research advances ABA technologies to treat problem behavior with consideration of environmental variables that may be maintaining the behavior (e.g., assessment, setting, cultural factors, and linguistic diversity).

Read more about problem behavior on the SAABA Clinic page
​Preemptive treatment for infants and toddlers at-risk for autism
In 2018, Dr. Neely extended her work in the treatment of problem behavior to focus on a preemptive intervention for infants and toddlers at-risk for ASD. Advances in early detection via screeners (e.g., Autism Observation Scale for Infants; Bryson, Zwaigenbaum, McDermott, Rombough, & Brian, 2008) and medical evaluations (e.g., electroencephalogram; Bosl et al., 2018) facilitated a remarkable opportunity to attempt to improve the trajectory of child development by intervening early – even before an official diagnosis can be made.

​This project has concluded and link to the results can be found here:
Functional Communication Training for Toddlers At‑Risk for Autism with Early Problem Behavior
​How Might Indices of Happiness Inform Early Intervention Research and Decsion Making?

Currently, the PLAAY lab serves as a training lab for our Project EARLY Scholars.
Read more about preemptive treatment on the Project PLAAY page. 
​Innovative Technologies for Treatment of Autism
​Dr. Neely’s recent work has focused on integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) into behavior analysis. This project includes investigating wearable technologies to measure behavior, artificial intelligence to measure and analyze behavior, and augmented reality to support communication across care teams. This line of research is currently funded by the National Science Foundation, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and Texas Health and Human Services.


Read more about innovative technologies on the  Behavior Technology Lab page 
​Quantitative Synthesis of ABA Assessments and Treatments for Autism and Developmental Disabilities
Dr. Neely has extensive training in the evaluation of single-case literature from renowned experts in single-case research methodology. She was selected for the competitive Advanced Single Case Research Training Institute sponsored by the Institute of Educational Sciences where she received advanced training from notable methodologists including Tom Kratochwill and Rob Horner. As such, she is fluent in advanced single case evaluation techniques and has employed these skills to synthesize and analyze the literature base on many topics relevant to ABA assessment and treatment. Her work is available at Google Scholar.
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