Who is Dr. Bob Carey
Dr. Carey is a Registered Clinical Psychologist, currently living on Vancouver Island, but licensed to practice in Ontario, Canada, with over 35 years of extensive experience in the field of Developmental Disabilities and Dual Diagnosis. He served as the former Director of the Community Services department at the Oxford Regional Centre, located 90 minutes south of Toronto, Ontario. Subsequently, this facility underwent divestment, evolving into the community based "Regional Support Associates", where Dr. Carey continued his involvement as a Consultant through his private practice.
Throughout his career, Dr. Carey has been an active member of various professional associations, including the Ontario Psychological Association, Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, Ontario Association for Developmental Disabilities, Canadian Association for Psychologists in Disability Assessment, and the Canadian Society for Medical Evaluators.
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While residing and working in Ontario, Dr. Carey conducted over 30 workshops per year on topics related to Applied Behaviour Analysis, Positive Systems Approach, Treatment Strategies for Persons with Developmental Disabilities and Dual Diagnosis, and Psychological Disorders. He has also served as a Primary and Secondary Supervisor for aspiring Psychologists seeking registration, as recognized by the Ontario College of Psychologists in 2010.
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In the academic realm, Dr. Carey served as a Lecturer at the University of Western Ontario, teaching courses in Introductory Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Social Psychology. Additionally, he acted as a Guest Lecturer for graduate students at Kings College and Developmental Service Workers at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario.
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Dr. Carey has held leadership roles, including Chairperson for the Certification Committee (Applied Behaviour Analysis) with the Ontario Behavioural Association and past President of the Ontario Behavioural Association. He has chaired committees focusing on Research and Program Evaluation, Developmental Disability, Health Care Coordination, Dual Diagnosis, and Complex Special Needs Children.
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His notable contributions include appointments to two Provincial Expert Panels through the Community Networks of Specialized Care and participation in an Expert Witness Team for a successful class action suit against the Province of Ontario and Huronia Regional Centre. Dr. Carey has received multiple scholarships and awards, including from the Association for Behaviour Analysis and the Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities.
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In the realm of research, Dr. Carey has secured Research Grants for projects in the field of Developmental Disabilities. He possesses editorial experience as a Guest Reviewer and has multiple publications in reputable journals, such as Behavior Modification, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Research of Severe Developmental Disabilities, and Clinical Bulletin of the Developmental Disabilities Program. Additionally, he co-authored a book chapter on Collaborative Treatment Approaches in the book titled "Dual Diagnosis: An Introduction to the Mental Health Needs of Persons with Developmental Disabilities."
Who is Terry Kirkpatrick, B.A., R.L.C., M.Ed., RP
Oxford Regional Centre - Then & Now
ORC's Aging Population
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Terry Kirkpatrick first met Bob Carey at the Oxford Regional Centre in Woodstock, where Terry worked in Social Work and Bob in Psychology. Both had strong backgrounds in Applied Behaviour Analysis, fostering an immediate professional connection. Terry, a recent Master of Education graduate from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, was considering a Doctor of Education degree focused on Special and Adult Education.
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Before the Ontario government implemented a structured plan to close institutions, Terry had already facilitated enough community placements in the Southwest Region to close an entire residence. His expertise ensured smooth transitions from institutional to community living. Earlier in his career, he had taught at Algonquin College’s Lanark Campus and worked as an Adult Protective Service Worker in Cambridge, Ontario. His role as Placement Coordinator for the Waterloo Regional Office of the Ministry of Community and Social Services involved planning and executing the transition of 108 individuals from institutions within just eight months. This ambitious project required collaboration among government supervisors, advocacy groups, community leaders, and frontline service personnel. Ultimately, all 108 individuals successfully integrated into community living—a success not mirrored in all regions.
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Following this, Terry returned to Oxford Regional Centre’s Community Services Department to address placement failures, which ranged from 12% to over 25%, with some agencies experiencing a 50% failure rate. Many community agencies lacked training in effective behaviour management and resisted intensive interventions. Challenges included managing aggressive behaviours, distress indicators, and community opposition to structured interventions. Some agencies prohibited staff from physically redirecting residents, creating unsafe environments.
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Terry documented these challenges in two reports for Oxford Regional Centre: Oxford Regional Centre’s Aging Population: Proposals and Recommendations for Programs and Services (1987) and Oxford Then and Now: A Critical Review of Oxford Regional Centre Client Services 1980 to 1986. These reports highlighted systemic obstacles, such as:
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High failure rates in transitioning older residents, despite their higher intellectual abilities and life skills.
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A lack of community programs designed for aging individuals with developmental disabilities.
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Insufficient adaptive equipment, medical support, and structured recreational activities.
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A need for integrated behavioural, cognitive, and medical interventions led by multidisciplinary teams.
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Inconsistent commitment from agencies in managing challenging behaviours.
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Institutions often receiving individuals not because they caused behavioural issues but because community services failed to support them adequately.
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Later, Terry led a residential treatment program for individuals with severe autism and challenging behaviours, expanding it from one site with seven residents to five sites with seventeen. He transitioned to child welfare, developing specialized fostering, child protection, and family support programs. He later managed a multi-service organization supporting adults with developmental disabilities, seniors, and at-risk youth.
Throughout his career, Terry has provided private counseling to individuals, couples, and families, including those with developmental disabilities. He continues this work today while collaborating with Dr. Bob Carey to promote Positive Systems Approach training and implementation. Terry emphasizes the ongoing need to evaluate how community living organizations handle behavioural challenges. Anecdotal evidence suggests that individuals with histories of abuse, neurological disorders, or developmental disabilities still require improved care and adaptation for successful community living.