Marc J. Tassé, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Psychology and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University. He is also the Director of the Ohio State Nisonger Center, a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Tassé has more than 30 years of experience in conducting research and providing clinical services in the field of intellectual disability (ID), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and related neurodevelopmental disorders (ND). He has significant clinical and research experience working with people with ID/ASD/ND, including people with co-occurring mental/behavioral health concerns. Dr. Tassé has been involved in the development of several standardized tests including Diagnostic Adaptive Behavior Scale, Supports Intensity Scale for Children, Supports Intensity Scale for Adults, Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form, and the Quebec Adaptive Behavior Scale. His publications include more than 175 articles in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and books. He has given 300+ scientific and professional presentations and invited addresses. Dr. Tassé is a Fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, American Psychological Association, and International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. His work has been recognized by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Exceptional Service Award: 2021, 2011, 2009 & 2007) and the American Psychological Association (Division 33: 2017 John W. Jacobson Award for “meritorious contributions to the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities in an area related to behavioral psychology, evidence-based practice, dual diagnosis or public policy”). He was also recognized in 2020 for his significant national contributions to the field of IDD in the U.S. (National Historic Recognition Project: 2000-2020). Dr. Tassé is a past President of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (2012-2013). Dr. Tassé continues to be actively involved in conducting evaluations and giving expert testimony in capital cases where intellectual disability is an issue.

Research & Clinical Interests 

Dr. Tassé’s research and clinical interests are in the area intellectual disability (ID), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental disorders. His research has been focused on the co-occurrence of ID or ASD and psychiatric disorders or problem behavior, understanding and measuring adaptive behavior, test development, technology applications to enhancing health, independence, and personal autonomy, and the concept of support needs. His recent research has also centered on the study of the health and well-being of persons with ASD, ID and other related neuordevelopmental disorders. Dr. Tassé’s clinical interests include the diagnosis of intellectual disability, the assessment and treatment of problem behavior and psychiatric disorders in individuals with ID or ASD. He does some forensic work around the determination of intellectual disability in capital cases.

Awards, Honors and Recognition

2025: Research Award, AAIDD
2024: Presidential Award, AAIDD
2021: Award for Exceptional Service to the Field and the Association, AAIDD
2020: Award from the National Historic Recognition Project: 2000-2020, National Historic Recognition Project
2017: John W. Jacobson Award, American Psychological Association Division 33 
2012: Fellow, International Association on the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
2011: Fellow, American Psychological Association
2011: Exceptional Service Award, AAIDD
2009: Service Award, AAIDD
2007: Service Award, AAIDD
2005: Fellow, AAIDD
2001: “Philia Award,” Quebec Institute on Mental Retardation
1995: Distinguished Dissertation Award, Academy on Mental Retardation

Selected Publications (Bold = graduate students/postdocs)

Shively, K. L. & Tassé, M. J. (2022). Using a Delphi method to revise and update the Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 127, 455-472. DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-127.6.455

Schalock, R. L., Luckasson, R., Tassé, M. J., & Shogren, K. A. (2022). The intellectual and developmental disabilities paradigm of shared citizenship: Its operationalization, application, evaluation, and shaping for the future. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 60(5), 426-441.

Bunster, J., Tassé, M. J., Tenorio, M., Aparicio, A., & Arango, P. S. (2022). Adaptive behaviours in children with Down syndrome: A cross-sectional study of developmental trajectories.  Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 47(3), 276-286. DOI 

Luckasson, R., Tassé, M. J., & Schalock, R. L. (2022). Professional responsibility in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities: Its definition, application, and impacts. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 60, 183-198. DOI

Tassé, M. J. & Havercamp, S. M. (2022).  Where is the empirical support for the effectiveness of cognitive
behavior therapy for adults with intellectual disability. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice. Online First Publication. DOI  

Wagner, J. B., Tassé, M. J., & Ornan, G. (2022). Availability of remote support services: Pre-COVID-19. Journal of Policy and Practice Intellectual Disabilities. 1-10. DOI

Balboni, G., Bacherini, A., Anselmi, P., Brovedani, P., Buono, S., Micheletti, S., Robusto, E., & Tassé, M. J., (2022). Italian Diagnostic Adaptive Behavior Scale: Reliability and Diagnostic Accuracy Compared with the Vineland-II. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 123. 104185. DOI   

Bertelli, M. O., Hollenweger, J., Tassé, M. J., Straccia, C., Rondini, E., Bianco, A., Jung, R., Buonaguro, E. F., Simeonsson, R. J., Munir, K., & Salvador-Carulla, L. (2022). Intellectual developmental disorders. In M. O. Bertelli, S. Deb, K. Munir, A. Hassiotis, & L. Salvador-Carulla (Eds.), Textbook of Psychiatry for Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder (pp. 1-49). Springer. DOI

Cooray, S. E., Tassé, M. J., Barnhill, J., & Bhaumik, S. (2022). Anxiety and stress-related disorders in people with intellectual disability/disorders of intellectual development. In M. O. Bertelli, S. Deb, K. Munir, A. Hassiotis, & L. Salvador-Carulla, L. (Eds.), Textbook of Psychiatry for Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder (pp. 583-608). Springer. DOI 

Havercamp, S. M., Barnhill, L. J., Bonardi, A., Chapman, R., Cobranchi, C., Fletcher, R., Rabidoux, P., Seeley, J. R., & Tassé, M. J. (2022). Straight from the horse's mouth: Increasing self-report in mental health assessment in people with intellectual disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disability, 35(2), 471-479. DOI

Wickstrom, J., Dell'Armo, K., Salzman, E., Hooker, J. L., Delehanty, A., Bishop, S., Tassé, M. J., Wetherby, A. M., Piergies, T., Damiano, D., Rauch, A., & Thurm, A., (2021). Systematic review: Recommendations for rehabilitation in ASD and ID from clinical practice guidelines. Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 3, 100140.  DOI

Gomez, L. E., Navas, P., Verdugo, M. A., & Tassé, M. J. (2021). Empirically supported psychological treatments: The challenges of comorbid psychiatric and behavioral disorders in people with intellectual disability. World Journal of Psychiatry, 19, 1039-1052. DOI

Rosencrans, M. E., Tassé, M. J., Kim, M., Krahn, G., Bonardi, A., Rabidoux, P., Bourne, M. L., & Havercamp, S. M. (2021). Invisible populations: Who is missing from research in intellectual disability?  Research in Developmental Disabilities, 119. 104117.  DOI 

Makhluf, Y. F., Bacherini, A., Elisei, S., Tassé, M. J., & Balboni, G. (2021). Assessment of challenging behaviours with the Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form: Agreement/disagreement between frequency and severity ratings. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 46, 370-374. DOI

Fortney, S. & Tassé, M. J. (2021). Urbanicity, health, and access to services for individuals with intellectual disability and developmental disabilities. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 126, 492-504. DOI

Schalock, R. L., Luckasson, R.., & Tassé, M. J. (2021). An overview of Intellectual disability: Definition, classification and systems of supports (12^th ed.). American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 126, 439-442. DOI

Schalock, R. L., Luckasson, R.., & Tassé, M. J. (2021). Ongoing transformation in the field of IDD: Taking action for future progress. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 59, 280-291. DOI

Tassé, M. J. (2021). Adaptive behavior and functional life skills across the lifespan: Conceptual and
measurement issues (pp. 1-20). In R. Lang & P. Sturmey (Eds), Adaptive Behavior Strategies for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Springer Publishing.

Schalock, R. L., Luckasson, R.., & Tassé, M. J. (2021). Intellectual disability: Definition, diagnosis, classification, and systems of supports (12^th edition). American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Glidden, L. M., Abbeduto, L., McIntyre, L. L., & Tassé, M. J. (Editors; 2021). APA Handbook on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. American Psychological Association. DOI 

Glidden, L. M., Abbeduto, L., McIntyre, L. L., & Tassé, M. J. (2021). Summary and future directions: Where we have been, where we are, where we are going. In L. Glidden, (Editor in Chief), L. Abbeduto, L. L. McIntyre, & M. J. Tassé (Editors), Handbook on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Clinical and educational implications: Prevention, intervention, and treatment (pp. 525-536). American Psychological Association.  DOI

Tassé, M. J. & Balboni, G. (2021). Theories and measurement of adaptive behavior. In L. M. Glidden, (Editor in Chief), L. Abbeduto, L. L. McIntyre, & M. J. Tassé (Editors), Handbook on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Foundations (pp. 425-450). American Psychological Association. DOI 

Dell’Armo, K. A., & Tassé, M. J. (2021). Attitudes, stigma, and disablism toward people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In L. M. Glidden, (Editor in Chief), L. Abbeduto, L. L. McIntyre, & M. J. Tassé (Editors), Handbook on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Foundations (pp. 473-498). American Psychological Association.  DOI