Eilis OConnell
Profile
Dr. O'Connell-Sussman (BCBA-D, LBA-NY) is a doctoral-level behavior analyst and special educator with over a decade of experience. As Thesis Coordinator for Endicott College’s IABS, she bridges academic research with compassionate practice. Her work focuses on infant-caregiver interactions and early language development. She is dedicated to creating positive outcomes for diverse populations and supporting the long-term well being of families.
Education
Endicott College
Ph.D.
Applied Behavior Analysis
2025
Teachers College, Columbia University
M.A.
Intellectual Disabilities and Autism
2014
Long Island University-Post
BFA
Fine Arts
2012
Research
Early Vocal Development in Infants with Down Syndrome
Investigating how specific contingent caregiver interactions influence the acquisition of speech sounds and emerging verbal operants.
Supported by the SABA Sidney W. & Janet R. Bijou Grant ($10,000).
Empathy vs. Compassion in Clinical Practice Developing specialized training for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) graduate students to build discriminative repertoires between empathy and compassion during caregiver consultations.
AI-Enhanced Accessible Education for Families
Designing online learning platforms that utilize artificial intelligence to provide real-time feedback to families of infants with (or at risk for) disabilities, aiming to foster positive interactions and secure attachment.
Committees
Behavioral Development Special Interest Group, ABAI Co-chair of NYSABA Education Committee 2024-Present
Courses
ABA 585 Thesis I: Experimental Thesis Proposal & Development
ABA 585 Thesis I: Literature Review Thesis & Development
ABA 572 Thesis II: Investigation and Report Writing
ABA 698 Thesis III: Presentation & Defense
ABA 517 Behavior Assessment
Accomplishments
Awards
Endicott College, Excellence in Research Award, 2025.
Jack Gewirtz Student Research Award, May 2025.
Publications
O'Connell-Sussman, E., Keleher, C., Weiss, M.J., Pelaez, M., & Mastrogiacomo, L. (2025). The effects of mother’s contingent interactions on speech sounds of infants with down syndrome. Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 1-27.
https://doi.org/10.1080/07317107.2025.2589759O'Connell-Sussman, E., Melton, B., Radzilowicz, N., & Weiss, M.J. (2024). Compassionate care and neurodiversity: Hopeful progress and future actions. In K. Dyer, M.J. Weiss, L Tereshko & A. Linnehan, (Eds.) Perspectives on Neurodiversity and Belonging: Reflections for Behavior Analysts (pps.270-291), Sloane Publishing.
Melton, B., O'Connell-Sussman, E., Lord, J., & Weiss, M.J. (2023). Empathy and compassion as the radical behaviorist views it: A conceptual analysis. Behavior Analysis in Practice.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00783-3