Dr Giordana Hrga…

…received her Bachelor of Arts  degree and Graduate Diploma in Education from the Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia. Giordana taught in secondary schools for several years, specializing in remedial reading, before undertaking her Master of Education degree by research at the University of Melbourne, focusing on Parent and Teacher Effectiveness Training.

In that time, Giordana also undertook education research projects as a principal researcher, before moving into the tertiary sector as a lecturer in education. Giordana has also trained student teachers throughout a number of Australian universities, preparing them to work as teachers in the Australian secondary school system.

Giordana's interest in autism spectrum disorders developed when her youngest son, Julian, was diagnosed with autism. Giordana undertook a thorough and systematic review of the research literature in best practice for learning disorders, and commenced conducting experimental research in this area in 1996, initially with Julian, and later with 12 other children (currently 90 children to date). Giordana received the 1999 New Contributor's Award presented by the Standard Celeration Society for her research work in Precision Teaching for children with autism spectrum disorders.

In 2006, Giordana completed her Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of Western Australia. Professor Emeritus Lindsley acted as Giordana's advisor throughout her doctoral research. Giordana's doctoral thesis is titled, The Child Knows Best: The strategies and tactics of accelerated learning. A copy of the thesis can be obtained via download from the subscription section of this site.

For the past 10 years, Giordana has supervised the Precision Teaching training, both nationally and internationally, of undergraduate and post-graduate education and psychology students, and approximately 500 parents, teachers, and therapists  of children with developmental disorders.

Giordana has conducted numerous seminars and workshops and presented her research data at national and international conferences, including the Association for Behavior Analysis (USA), International Precision Teaching Conference (USA), Ohio State University (USA), Illinois Institute of Technology (USA), and the Ministry of Education (Australia & New Zealand). Giordana has also participated in "virtual seminars", such as the Behavior Technology Tomorrow (2003) seminar presented to 100 delegates of the Delaware Association of Behavior Analysis, Temple University, Philadelphia (USA) via internet.

Giordana is a member of the International Association for Behavior Analysis (USA), and the Standard Celeration Society (USA). Giordana recently presented at the Annual Convention of the Association of Behavior Analysis (USA) in Chicago, Illinois, on 25 May 2008.  The presentation entitled, "Precision Teaching for Cri Du Chat Syndrome" is a single case study of a child with this rare chromosomal disorder (also known as 5p syndrome). The child in this study has made similar developmental gains typically shown by some children with autism. A copy of the presentation can be obtained via download from the subscription section of this site.

Giordana is nearing completion of her Precision Teaching book and I.M.A.G.IN.E® instructional manual for parents and teachers, that will become available through this website in early 2009.

Giordana currently maintains  a position as an adjunct senior lecturer in the School of Occupational Therapy at the Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia. Giordana consults on an international basis, residing partly in Australia, and partly in Europe, with future visits planned to the United Kingdom and the USA.