Professor Dr. Tonya Davis: Twenty Years of Research, Clinical Training, and Outreach

Dr. Tonya Davis has taught and mentored undergraduate and graduate students in special education and applied behavior analysis (ABA) for nearly twenty years. As a high school student, she developed a passion for working with individuals with disabilities, particularly those who exhibited challenging behavior. Throughout her educational journey, she has dedicated her research to better understanding and addressing the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism. Her work primarily revolves around developing interventions to reduce challenging behavior for individuals with disabilities so that they may lead more fulfilling lives.

Dr. Davis is Professor in the Educational Psychology Department at Baylor University. In addition to her teaching role, she serves as the Coordinator for the Special Education Undergraduate Program and the Master’s program in Educational Psychology with a concentration in ABA. She is also a founding member of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD) and a long-time faculty affiliate. 

Growing up in a rural area, she had limited exposure to individuals with disabilities until high school, when special education students were integrated into the mainstream campus. At 16 years of age, she volunteered to sit with a student with a developmental disability in the cafeteria before school started so he would not have to sit alone. This meaningful experience led her to pursue a major in special education at Baylor University. Following her undergraduate studies, she obtained a master’s degree in educational psychology and then went on to complete her doctoral degree in special education at the University of Texas at Austin. It was there that she realized she had a passion for research involving individuals with developmental disabilities who exhibited challenging behavior.

Dr. Davis said, “Addressing challenging behavior is a crucial first step. I believe that it's difficult to teach communication, academics, or any other skills without first addressing the challenging behavior. Behavior that is challenging can lead to negative outcomes for the child, family, or friends. For instance, children who struggle with social or communication skills may exhibit challenging behaviors when trying to fulfill their needs.” Dr. Davis goes on to say, “By teaching them how to communicate and navigate their needs appropriately, we can improve their well-being. Addressing these challenges is crucial as they can negatively affect the child's life long-term.” 

Dr. Davis has witnessed parents in tears when their child is expelled from classes or programs due to the intensity of their challenging behavior. She said, “Getting to work with families and letting them know their child is accepted no matter the circumstances and that our team can handle it puts the parents at ease, knowing we are there to support them through this matter.”

A huge part of Dr. Davis’s work involves training master’s level students specializing in ABA who are working towards certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The program entails immersive field experiences, closely supervised by teachers and university faculty, that are integral to students’ development. This integrated approach ensures that students receive exceptional guidance as they prepare for the clinical setting. Dr. Davis said, “What sets BCBAs apart is the specific skills they teach and how they utilize the science of learning in their teaching methods. It's common for people to be unaware that BCBAs can help individuals reduce challenging behaviors, provide communication interventions, implement social skills interventions, and offer academic support, among many other services.” Dr. Davis, along with Associate Professor Dr. Akers, recently released their book titled, "A Behavior Analyst's Guide to Supervising Fieldwork." This guide is for supervisors of trainees working towards certification to ensure a carefully devised and thoroughly documented fieldwork experience. This textbook is only one of a few in the field of behavior analysis that is solely focused on the supervision of trainees. 

Throughout her career, Dr. Davis's passion for her work has grown exponentially because of the many wonderful experiences she has had working with children and families. One touching moment that stands out is when she worked with children who couldn't speak despite being older than the age when they typically learn to talk. In experiences like this, she has witnessed children utter their first words, an experience she shares with their families. She said, “It’s exciting to experience that with the family, and it makes me feel good that I have had an impact on the child’s life and the family, too.” 

As a teacher, mentor, researcher, and clinician, Dr. Davis has the opportunity to have widespread reach in the field and community.  Dr. Davis said, "Working in this role allows me to do what I love in various ways. As a researcher, I can work with children, implement interventions as part of my research, and educate practitioners in the field." She continued, "Witnessing the growth of those I work with and receiving the gratitude from families and students at the end of the year is incredibly rewarding. However, as a faculty member, I realize that my reach is multiplied infinitely, as every special education teacher and behavior analyst I train goes out to work in the field, ultimately helping many more families.” 

Dr. Davis’s expertise and unwavering dedication to support individuals with disabilities and their families, has had a tremendous influence on her colleagues, students, and clients. With over 80 publications and multiple state and federal grant awards, her research and student mentorship are integral to the core areas of education and family within the BCDD. Dr. Davis works tirelessly to equip students to teach a variety of skills to individuals with disabilities so that they can best respond to challenging behavior. She mentors student research at the master’s and doctoral levels to prepare them for jobs in academia or clinical settings. And she collaborates with colleagues to secure grant funding that expands clinical services, student training, and family support. Her work will continue to influence the next generation of BCBAs, special education teachers, and researchers that will benefit many individuals with disabilities and families in the years to come.