Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

High School Age Students With Disabilities And Social Interaction In A General Education Physical Education Setting, Kelsey B. Hannan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study focused on the social interaction of high school age students with disabilities in a general physical education setting. The study included two students in tenth grade in an adaptive physical education class. The students attend a high school in a suburban northern New Jersey school district. The two students chosen for this study have a documented diagnosis of autism and are placed in the adaptive physical education class at the high school. The adaptive physical education class is separate from the general physical education classes. All students in this adaptive physical education program have either …

Special Education Teachers’ Perceptions Of Students’ With Disabilities Ability, Instructional Needs, And Difficulties Using Visual Representations To Solve Mathematics Problems, Delinda Van Garderen, Apryl L. Poch, Amy Scheuermann

Special Education and Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

In this article, we present findings that examined special education teachers’ perception of students’ with disabilities ability, instructional needs, and difficulties for using visual representations (VRs) as a strategy to solve mathematics problems. In addition, whether these perceptions differed by instructional grade or setting currently teaching was examined. Survey data from 97 in-service teachers revealed, regardless of instructional setting or grade level taught, that they believe students with disabilities have the ability to learn about and use VRs and need to be taught to use VRs. Furthermore, the special education teachers perceived students with disabilities to have difficulty with all …

Inclusion For A Student With Vision Impairment: “They Accept Me, Like, As In I Am There, But They Just Won’T Talk To Me.”, Jill L. Opie, Jane Southcott

The Qualitative Report

We explore the experiences of Nick, a secondary school student with vision impairment in an Australian mainstream school in this study, and we particularly focus on whether he perceived his education as inclusive. We have used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis in this single individual case as this approach explores our participant’s understandings which may be revealed by close examination of mindful experiences. The “gem” spoken by Nick (pseudonym), our 16-year old participant, was “They accept me, like as in I am there, but they just won’t talk to me.” This statement summarises his sense of not belonging, of being other, and …

Parent Priorities And Knowledge Regarding Transition To Adulthood For Middle School Students With Significant Disabilities, Laura Hackwell

Laura Hackwell

The Use Of Bicycle Desks To Increase Physical Activity In Two Special Education Classrooms, Alicia Fedewa, Colleen Cornelius, Elizabeth Whitney, Soyeon Ahn, Mary Comis

Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND

Although the literature has predominantly focused on elementary youth, preliminary findings indicate that attentional benefits may arise from adolescent physical activity as well. Limited research has examined the impact of classroom-based physical activity for secondary students, and no research to date has explored bicycle workstations as a means to improve physical activity within the special education classroom.

PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE

Two special education resource classrooms within a high school took part in the research study. Students were given the option of riding on the bike or sitting on chairs in each classroom. Heart rate, calories, miles, time, and on-task …

The Effect Of Imagine Math On High School Students With Learning Disabilities, Danielle Cabassa

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to: (a) examine the effectiveness of Imagine Math in increasing the engagement of students in a high school resource Algebra 2 classroom, (b) examine the effectiveness of Imagine Math in increasing the academic achievement of students in a high school resource Algebra 2 classroom, and (c) determine if students in a high school resource Algebra 2 classroom are satisfied with the use of Imagine Math. The research was conducted using single-subject design methodology. The study followed an ABAB alternating baseline pattern. Academic achievement was monitored through daily assessments, while engagements was evaluated in three …

Parent Priorities And Knowledge Regarding Transition To Adulthood For Middle School Students With Significant Disabilities, Laura A. Hackwell

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 requires transition planning to begin at age 16 years, but many states require transition planning to begin even earlier. In Utah, the amended age for starting transition planning is 14 years. Early implementation of transition planning requires collaboration between middle school teachers, parents, and adult service agencies. Parents of middle school students with significant disabilities completed an online survey to identify postsecondary transition related priorities and knowledge. Participants identified top priorities within seven transition outcomes, as well as the information needed to understand and support their student within each specific transition area. …

Asd Program Development In Special Education Teacher Preparation: An Exploratory Study, Christine Dewildt

Dissertations

The process of developing a program for an endorsement in a teacher preparation program is complex, with various influences and requirements involved. Regulatory compliance, standards for practice, and university influences are key considerations within program development. Curricular factors and content delivery must also be considered. This study explored the process of program development leading to an endorsement in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at a university, shedding light on what some of the key aspects to program develop entail.

This study explored the complex process of teacher preparation program development in ASD through inquiry rooted in a qualitative approach. At the …

Impact Of The Implementation Of Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams On Adolescent Student Behavior, Dana Renee Speight

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Disproportionality in discipline has been well-documented in the research literature (Achilles, McLaughlin, & Croninger, 2007; Losen & Gillespie, 2012; Gregory, Skiba, & Mediratta, 2017; Skiba, Peterson, & Williams, 1997). Students from diverse ethnic backgrounds and students with disabilities are removed from their classrooms more frequently than their Caucasian peers without disabilities (Losen & Gillespie, 2012). This disparate removal of students from diverse ethnic backgrounds and students with disabilities has spurned education stakeholders to call for removal of punitive policies and replacement with positive behavior interventions and supports. This study sought to evaluate the impact of Class-Wide Function-related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT) …

Self-Monitoring To Increase On-Task Behavior Using The Motivaider®, Connie Summey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teachers often need simple ways to implement effective classroom interventions that reduce off-task behaviors for students with or without ADHD (Gaastra, Groen, Tucha, & Tucha, 2016). One intervention that is easy to use and can be implemented with minimal demand on teachers is self-monitoring (Amato-Zech, Hoff, & Doepke, 2006). One prompt that can be used in the classroom for self-monitoring is the MotivAider. The MotivAider is an electronic timer that vibrates to provide a tactile prompt to self-monitor (Amato-Zech et al., 2006). The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which the MotivAider, a tactile self-monitoring device, …

Promoting Vocabulary Knoweldge In Inclusive Science Classrooms: Comparison Of Instructional Methods, Matthew Love

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A sustained trend in the overall enrollment in the United States has seen classrooms reflect more student diversity. This diversity has included increased rates of participation in general education classrooms from both students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and students with disabilities. While the increase in student diversity in general education classrooms is certainly a positive step in increasing inclusive education, shifting student demographics have presented teachers with new and evolving instructional challenges. The diverse academic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds students represent also come to characterize the unique learning needs teachers should address. This is particularly true in science, …

The Effects Of Noncontingent Reinforcement With Signals On Problem Behavior In The Classroom Setting, Jannica Pozulos

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Research has shown noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) to be an effective intervention in reducing inappropriate behavior (i.e., problem behavior) when implemented prior to its occurrence in both clinical and applied settings. Some research suggests problem behavior of teenagers and adults with disabilities may be reduced at greater rates when NCR is implemented in combination with signals (e.g., visual timers). Additional research is warranted to investigate if the positive effects of NCR can be enhanced using signals when working with young children with autism. This study evaluated the effects of NCR when implemented with and without a visual timer on the problem …

Comparison Of Stimulus Delivery Methods Via An Ipad To Teach The Expressive Labeling Of Action Verbs To Children With Autism, Amy M. Heaps

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Delays in communication are one of the defining characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Educators have begun using technology to teach students with ASD to label different items. However, more research needs to be conducted with technology (such as iPads and other tablets) to find the most effective teaching procedures. We wanted to find the most effective way to teach children with ASD age-appropriate action verbs, such as drawing and painting. Five preschool-aged students with ASD participated in this study. We taught these participants to label action verbs using pictures and short video clips, to test which method was the …

Guidelines For Feature Matching Assessment Of Brain–Computer Interfaces For Augmentative And Alternative Communication, Kevin M. Pitt, Jonathan S. Brumberg

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Purpose--Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) can provide access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices using neurological activity alone without voluntary movements. As with traditional AAC access methods, BCI performance may be influenced by the cognitive–sensory–motor and motor imagery profiles of those who use these devices. Therefore, we propose a person-centered, feature matching framework consistent with clinical AAC best practices to ensure selection of the most appropriate BCI technology to meet individuals' communication needs.

Method--The proposed feature matching procedure is based on the current state of the art in BCI technology and published reports on cognitive, sensory, motor, and motor …

Strategies To Improve Executive Functioning In Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Nicole Brennan

Culminating Projects in Special Education

Students with ADHD and executive function deficits experience academic and social and emotional difficulties throughout their school day. This paper summarizes research that has been provided regarding strategies to improve executive function skills in students with a diagnosis of ADHD. The studies in this paper were conducted within the last seven years and are presented in groups based on types of interventions of exercise and sensory integration, mindfulness, and computer based programs. The areas that I have chosen to give more attention to are those that can easily be implemented and practiced in a variety of school settings including the …

The Physical Therapeutic Benefits Of Hippotherapy On Children With Physical Disabilities, Heather Brand

Culminating Projects in Special Education

Hippotherapy is a great choice of treatment for children with physical disabilities. It can improve gross motor function, balance, spasticity, posture, and gait, as reviewed in this paper. It can also have benefits for many other areas in the child’s life, physically or mentally. This form of therapy may be so effective because children often are able to connect to animals and it is fun to ride a horse; they may be more motivated in doing the therapy activities than with a traditional form of treatment.

Educators’ Perceptions Of Augmentative And Alternative Communication To Facilitate Communication Among Preschool Students With Disabilities, Honey Meadows

Doctor of Education in Special Education Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how preschool educators perceive augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and how those perceptions influence AAC utilization in preschool classrooms. Specifically, this investigation focused on gaining better understandings about educators’ views, beliefs, and attitudes about AAC utilization to facilitate communication. Semistructured, open-ended interviews, classroom observations, and document review were the data collection sources used. Findings suggest that preschool special educators value the use of AAC and understand the basic human right for all students to participate. However, special education teachers and special education paraprofessionals perceive their roles and responsibilities, as communicative …

Fostering Collaborations And Partnerships Through Osep Grants, Amy T. Parker, Katina Lambros, Carol Robinson Zanartu, Robert Wall Emerson

Special Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

Presenters from three universities discussed how Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) grant projects have fostered interdisciplinary collaborations and school/community partnerships. This session discussed the powerful lessons that have emerged from those collaborations, which have involved related services personnel in schools (e.g., school psychology, school counseling, special education, speech and language pathology, and school social work), as well as community partners (e.g., transportation specialists, urban designers, and geographers).

Effects Of Universal Design For Learning Math Menus On Seventh Grade Students, Mona L. Mauro

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to: (a) examine the effectiveness of UDL math menus in increasing the academic engagement of seventh grade students with disabilities, (b) examine the effectiveness of UDL math menus in increasing the academic achievement of seventh grade students with disabilities, and (c) determine if seventh grade students with disabilities are satisfied with the use of UDL math menus. The research was conducted using single-subject design methodology. The study followed an ABAB alternating baseline pattern. Student academic achievement was evaluated through daily assessments, while student engagement was evaluated five times per class, approximately every fifteen minutes …

Effects Of Reciprocal Teaching In Guided Reading With Third Grade Students With Specific Poor Comprehension, Sharon R. Mclaren

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects that using the reciprocal teaching intervention method had on third grade students with specific poor comprehension skills within a guided reading setting. The study included ten third grade students - five boys and five girls. While all the students read fluently, they were identified with poor reading comprehension skills. The researcher conducted the reading groups with both the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group received the reciprocal teaching intervention. The control group received the standard guided reading lessons. Results from the study show that reciprocal teaching can improve third graders reading comprehension …