Sidney W. Bijou
Dr. Sidney W. Bijou established the first systematic program of research in the experimental analysis of human behavior, in particular of typically and atypically developing children, and pressed for the adoption of its research methodology. He astutely guided a group of gifted young colleagues as they conducted some of the first studies in applied behavior analysis (including those on autism), and developed classroom procedures and programs for teaching children with developmental disabilities. He advanced the integration of descriptive and applied research, as well as the application of behavior analysis to early childhood education, behavioral assessment, clinical applications, higher education, language, and autism. He developed the first behavior analytic theory of child development, and took an early role in the globalization of behavior analysis, notably in Mexico and Japan. To hear Dr. Bijou's students and colleagues speak of him, he was a scholar and a gentle man for all seasons.
Dr. Bijou held numerous leadership positions. He founded the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology and was president of Division 7 (Developmental Psychology) of the American Psychological Association (APA). He served on governance committees in APA Division 25 (Behavior Analysis) and was the 1978 president of ABAI. Among his many honors are the G. Stanley Hall Award from APA Division 7, the Don Hake Basic/Applied Research Award from APA Division 25, the Edgar A. Doll Award from APA Division 33 (Behavioral Science and Practice in Developmental Disabilities), the Distinguished Science Award from the American Association for Retarded Citizens, the International Development of Behavior Analysis Award from ABAI, and the Distinguished Service to Behavior Analysis Award from the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis. Among his international recognitions was an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Veracruz, Mexico.