Waisman Center
Advancing knowledge of human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Madeline C. Barger, MS, LMFT, BCBA, CST

Position title: Director, Adult Autism Program

Address:
Waisman Adult Autism Program is still under development. Callers should be invited to visit the Adult Autism Program page for future updates, and to complete the interest survey on the page where they can sign up to receive more updates as they become available. If callers have other questions, proceed as usual

Madeline Barger

Profile

Madeline Barger, MS, LMFT, BCBA, CST is a leader in adult autism support and intervention.  Barger is licensed behavior analyst, licensed marriage and family therapist, and an AASECT certified sex therapist. In the Adult Autism Program, Barger leads clinicians and provides mental health and life skills interventions.  Barger trains graduate students and post-doctoral students in mental health diagnosis and intervention.  Barger designs, manages, and implements clinical intervention and model services for adults with autism.

Professional Certifications and Education

    • MS, Marriage and Family Therapy, Edgewood College

    • Wisconsin Licensed Behavior Analyst

    • Wisconsin Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

    • Sexual Health Certificate Program, Sex Therapy Track, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

    • Certified Sex Therapist with the American Association for Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists

    • Certificate in Internet Psychology

    • Certified provider The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS)

    • ACE Approved CE Provider

    • Certified BACB Supervisor

Research Statement

Barger has an interest in further research on development and implementation of evidence based curricula for sexuality education.

Selected Publications

    • Kammes, R., Barger, M., & Miller. D. L. (2025).  Couples Therapy with Disabled Partners.  In The Handbook of Disability-Affirmative Systemic Therapy (1st Ed.)

    • Warner, S., Barger, M., & McCary, L. M. (2022). Individualized Sexuality Education for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 57(4), 359-370.

    • Barger, M.C. (2015). Dating across the spectrum. Autism Notebook. Oct/Nov

    • Barger, M. C. (2015). Plugged in: Parenting autism in the age of the internet. Autism Notebook. Jun/Jul: (10-11).