Education Commons^™

Dialogic Reading As An Intervention For Developing Reading Comprehension Skills In Early-Literacy School-Age Children With Disabilities, Kristi Burnette

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dialogic reading as an intervention on participant ability to answer “wh” comprehension questions correctly and independently. Previous research conducted on dialogic reading was primarily conducted with young individuals with autism spectrum disorder, leaving a gap in the research with older age participants. Participants of this study included four students in upper elementary grades 4-6, ages 8-12 who have been identified to have a known deficit in reading comprehension, a cognitive disability, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in an attempt to further extend the research on dialogic reading as an …

Professional Development And Training For The Inclusion Of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Pre-Kindergarten: A Phenomenological Study, Melinda K. Parsons- Shadid

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences utilizing professional resources to aid in the early childhood education development of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder for teachers at charter schools in a large city in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The problem is that there are limited professional resources to reduce early childhood education teachers' ability to educate students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder within the general classroom. One central research question and three sub-questions explored the purpose and problem of this study, which were guided by social cognitive theory. The central research question …

Transitional Periods Of Individuals With Autism: A Parental Perspective On Services, Kennedy Rogers

Senior Theses and Projects

This study looks at the experiences and perceptions of parents with children who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) aged eighteen or older and have experienced a significant transition out of high school. By using a qualitative method of interviews and analysis, as well as two rounds of coding, I explored the nature of program options as well as the challenges of the individuals with Autism during this time of their life. This study looked at the challenges in the transition as well as some potential insights to helping ease the challenges.

Assessing Generalization Of Behavioral Interventions In Teaching Independent Play Skills To Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review, David Anthony Defranco

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

A myriad of evidence-based practices has been effective in teaching independent play skills to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These interventions include video modeling, activity schedules, task correspondence training, task organization, individual work systems, and matrix training. This systematic review is aimed at examining the various behavioral interventions used to teach independent play skills to children and adolescents with ASD as the independent play literature will be evaluated to see if generalization was programmed for and assessed within the study. As one of the main dimensions of behavior analysis, generalization of skills, specifically independent play skills, is important to …

Assessing Preschool Children In Uae: Development Of The Preschool Autism Checklist (Pac) For Teachers, Omniah Gharib Alqahtani

Dissertations

This study aims to develop a new assessment tool for teachers to recognize and evaluate early signs of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in preschool children in the UAE. The study also discussed the cultural characteristics of the Gulf region and their impact on ASD. The available ASD instruments may be unclear in language and difficult to understand for regular teachers. However, a Preschool Autism Checklist (PAC) has been developed that is specifically tailored to the sociocultural norms of the Arab Gulf Countries. The ASD symptoms were taken from the DSM-5 (APA, 2013) as a reference source, while ASD scales incorporated …

Creating Equitable Mainstream K-6 Education For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Christina Talberg

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Talberg, C. (2023). Creating Equitable Mainstream K-6 Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The research question posed for this capstone project is: How does a general elementary classroom teacher create an equitable and accessible learning environment for students with ASD? This question was explored through extensive research which is reflected in this paper’s literature review. Research has shown that many mainstream educators do not feel adequately prepared or trained to properly support and include students with ASD in their classroom (Jaffal, 2023). The capstone project that accompanies this research is a three-part professional development workshop. This workshop series was …

Specific Educational Needs Detection In Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) In Superior Middle Level Students Students, Rebeca Thelma Martínez Villarreal, Brenda Elizabeth Salas Herrera, Alan Fernando García Martínez, Claudia Cecilia Salazar Garza, José Guadalupe Sánchez Hernández, Irma Cecilia Rico Ramírez

Research Symposium

Purpose: Detection ASD and intervention in superior middle level students at Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), Mexico.

Description: Upon admission to superior middle level at UANL, modified Gilliam Asperger's disorder scale (GADS) was applied to parents in a Program to identify behavioral characteristics associated to ASD.

Parents of students with positive GADS were informed and students were scheduled for standard psychological testing in order to evaluate cognitive process, study habits, social anxiety and self-esteem, prior to an intervention.

From 2014 to 2020, 178 013 GADS were applied; there were 332 (0.19%) students with definite or suggestive pattern of ASD. …

Extreme E-Service Learning: Remote Learning For Undergraduate Students And Telehealth Intervention For Children With Autism, Madiha S. Muzammal

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Extreme e-service learning courses in higher education, in which all components of the course including the instruction and service is provided online (Waldenr et al., 2012), offer rich educational experience as well as mutual benefits to the students, community and the higher education institutes. Very few studies have examined extreme e-service learning. We examined an undergraduate extreme e-service learning course in psychology; students learned through a virtual class and provided telehealth behavioral intervention services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Utilizing mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative measures including student observations, assignments, and self-reports) and a mixed design (single subject …

The Impact Of Repeated Reading Intervention On Oral Reading Fluency For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) In Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Al Naji

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence rate of learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has risen concurrently with their inclusion into public schools in Saudi Arabia. Being in schools, they face academic challenges, particularly in reading. This increased rate evokes the importance of implementing valuable strategies to keep up the academic skills of those students. These students require Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs), which have been demonstrated crucial for their reading development. Nevertheless, limited research has been done on examining the efficacy of EBPs used to enhance the reading skills of learners with ASD, especially their Oral Reading Fluency (ORF). This study used an effective approach …

Neuroaffirmative Approaches To Extended Reality: Empowering Individuals With Autism Spectrum Condition Through Immersive Learning Environments, James Hutson, Caitlyn Mcginley

Faculty Scholarship

Traditional teaching and working environments often prioritize extroverted qualities, disadvantaging individuals with conditions that impact social engagement, such as autism spectrum condition (ASC). These individuals usually thrive in calmer, low-key learning environments but face challenges in lecture-style classes, and traditional office environments leading to marginalization in academic and professional settings. This study explores the neuroaffirming potential of extended reality (XR) in creating immersive learning and working environments tailored to the unique needs of individuals with ASC. By focusing on four key factors—indirect social engagement, digital communication preferences, sensory sensitivity, and avatar-based communication—XR technologies can provide a supportive and accommodating environment …

Experiences And Support Needs Of Typically Developing Siblings Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Keely Hamilton

Education | Master's Theses

Children living with an autistic sibling face unique challenges and are in need of support (Angell et al., 2012; Marquis et al., 2019; Molinaro et al., 2020). The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand what the experience of having a sibling with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is like for a typically developing child during middle childhood or preadolescence, the impacts this experience has, and what types of support they feel they need. Five participants were interviewed for this study; all were in middle childhood or preadolescence, live in Marin County, California, and are in a family with a …

Differing Mastery Criteria Effects On Maintenance Of 1-Step Instruction Following In Children With Disabilities, Kyle Wagner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The majority of Early Intervention clinics throughout the United States are currently using a practice that is not considered evidence based. When teaching skills to children with developmental disabilities, clinicians assign an accuracy standard for those skills. The most common accuracy standard, called a “mastery criterion,” is 80% across three teaching sessions. There is little to no evidence to support using this specific mastery criterion. The purpose of this study was to add more research regarding this topic, and how it affects how the skills taught maintain over time when teaching has ceased for a specific skill. Two children were …

Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Gap Between Specialized And General School Systems, Alexis Ketterman

Senior Capstone Papers

Functionality, communication, socialization, and the ability to have some degree of independence are common attributes that many may not take the time to consider. However, for individuals who are autistic, these attributes are critical to forming secure relationships and successfully adapting across the lifespan. The two primary care systems paramount in supporting and nurturing social competence for children include general and specialized school systems. General school systems may not always have a well-developed understanding or awareness around a particular diagnosis or developmental disability; however, they may have a holistic special education program. Specialized schools often have access to trained professionals …

General Education K-6 Pre-Service Teacher Candidates: Art Strategies Toolkit For Teaching Students With Autism In The General Classroom Setting, Kelly Jean Sullivan

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This dissertation looked at the gap in pre-service general education teacher training in EBP for students with Autism and the effect the creative art learning mindfulness instructional toolkit (calmit19) intervention has on teacher self-efficacy when working with students with Autism.

Currently there is GAP, in the coursework that general education k-6 pre-service teacher candidates are getting trained in in order to teach students with autism in the general classroom setting. This action research study findings were that there is a need for additional training methods for pre service k-6 teacher candidates in art based evidence-based strategies.

The unanswered question is …

Museums And The Metaverse: Emerging Technologies To Promote Inclusivity And Engagement, James Hutson, Piper Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

Over the past two decades, museums have increasingly sought to build connections with the community and increase inclusivity of visitors. At the same time, emerging technologies, such as extended reality (XR) and virtual museums (VM) are increasingly adopted to engage with different generational expectations but also for the purposes of supporting inclusivity and neurodiverse populations. First such technologies were adopted to augment exhibitions in the physical museum space for edutainment. Since then, XR has expanded from room-size environments (CAVEs) and augmented exhibitions to the creation of entire virtual museums, such as The Museum of Pure Form and The Virtual Museum …

Honors Thesis – Awareness Of Autism In Black And Brown Communities, Varun Kota

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects a multitude of races and ethnicities as its impact varies from person to person. ASD is typically diagnosed around the age of two to three years old since signs and symptoms of Autism become clinically apparent at that time. Increased reporting of Autism in local communities has surged from diagnostic tools and criteria. However, even with these advancements, the African American community suffers a delayed diagnosis of ASD. This issue poses problems for both the parents and children with Autism and has broader implications for the South Florida community; opportunities are limited for developmental services …

Individual Placement And Review Committee Process: Perceptions Of Parents Of Students Who Are Both Deaf/Hard Of Hearing And Autistic, Elyza Z. Polsky

2023 Projects

The purpose of this mixed methods action research pilot study was to examine the parent’s perceptions about participation in the Individual Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) process for their deaf/hard of hearing and autistic child. A survey and interview revealed a lack of inclusion by the school of the parent.

Schumaker Acres Equine Assisted Learning Curriculum: Building Social Emotional Learning Skills For Autistic Individuals, Sara M. Trent

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Autistic students often receive educational services supporting the development of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skills. SEL can also be taught effectively outside of the classroom through the use of animal assisted interventions. The purpose of this project was to develop an eight week SEL program utilizing Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) for Autistic individuals five to 21 years old. This curriculum offers a unique programming plan as it provides an SEL curriculum that is specifically designed for Autistic individuals.

The Transition Into Higher Education For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Tj Estabrook

Masters Theses

There are more students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in higher education now than ever before and these students need to be supported in ways that will guarantee their success. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the experiences of six students with ASD as they transition into higher education through the use of semi-structured interviews. What was discovered is that students with ASD typically overestimate the difficulty of academics and underestimate the amount of social interaction they will encounter at the college level. These students are able to identify aspects of themselves that help them to succeed …

Examining The Effects Of An Early Mand Training Intervention On Mand Acquisition In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Maram Alnahari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often show language delays. Their limited communication skill may lead them to engage in the same disruptive behavior that previously got them what they wanted. Verbal behavior (VB), specifically mand training (MT), is one of the early language intervention strategies used to target language development and facilitate functional communication with young children with autism. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of an early mand training intervention on mand acquisition in children with ASD. This study specifically targeted the application, the implementation, and their effects. A multiple baseline across participants research design was used …

Teaching Autistic Children To Independently Wash Their Hands: A Systematic Review Of Behavioral Techniques, Alexis Vazquez

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

With COVID 19 having changed the world’s perception on daily hygiene, people are aiming to improve the rate and efficacy of their hand washing. Autistic children, having a history of challenges with daily living skills, may need support when learning the skill of hand washing. The current review discusses interventions used to teach autistic children effective hand washing and investigates if those interventions meet criteria to be considered an evidence-based practice. Six studies met the inclusion criteria and data were synthesized narratively. Given the importance of hand washing in society, more research is necessary to achieve optimal outcomes. The review …

What Keeps Teachers Of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Teaching?, Kimberley Rodriguez

All NMU Master's Theses

Currently, staff shortages exist in all areas of education. In the field of special education, there are sub-groups of teachers and classrooms, each with unique challenges. This study explores the experiences of teachers of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) disability in order to identify important retention factors specific to them. In this qualitative, phenomenological study, the researcher conducted four, one-on-one interviews to discover the district-related factors shared by teachers of students with ASD when considering staying or leaving their current position. Interview responses were categorized into the four themes critical to teacher retention according to the four capital theory …

Dir Floortime Therapy, Rebecca C. Matheson

LC Journal of Special Education

DIR Floortime Therapy is a social pragmatic approach used to help children with autism develop stronger verbal and social skills. Dr. Stanley Greenspan determined there were six milestones all children must master in order to develop appropriate language and social skills. DIR Floortime Therapy engages with the child through play in order to create a naturalistic environment that helps children achieve these milestones. While the approach is not evidence based, several studies have been conducted using DIR Floortime Therapy to strengthen language and social skills in young children with autism. The majority of these studies found a greater increase in …

Etiology Of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd): Familial Perceptions Versus Empirically Validated Data, Jacqueline Lubin

LC Journal of Special Education

Presently, there is desynchronization between what parents and family member perceive as causal factors and what research has proven to be possible indicators. This is of great concern because parents choose interventions based on what they perceive to be the cause of ASD (Dardennes et al., 2011). The implication of this is that parents may unintentionally opt for interventions which may be unsuitable for their child. This research paper will seek to highlight and discuss the factors that parents, family and professionals in the field perceive as causes of ASD and the factors that research have identified as triggers (or …

Sibling-Mediated Interventions For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Jacqueline Lubin

LC Journal of Special Education

Siblings spend a significant proportion of the day with siblings with autism than do their typically developing peers. Therefore, sibling-mediated interventions should be a major part of the repertoire of interventions used to aid children with autism develop social skills. Bass and Mulick (2007) explained that using siblings as social intervention agents have several benefits, including constant practice opportunities in the natural setting, parental support and the increased probability of generalization of social skills learned. Therefore, this paper will examine validated sibling-mediated interventions and discuss their effectiveness in enhancing social competence in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Effects Of Journaling To Decrease Repetitive Questioning Of Individuals With High-Functioning Autism, Annette D. Atwater

LC Journal of Special Education

One of the characteristics that can stigmatize and isolate an individual with ASD is restricted interests and the often associated repetitive questioning within those interests. Educational best practice utilizes restricted interests in strategies for socialization and transitions by incorporating the restrictive interest into the activity (Boyd, Alter, & Conroy, 2005), but repetitive questioning tends to be a strain on social interaction in school and home environments (Eaves & Ho, 2008; Lounds, Seltzer, Greenberg, & Shattuck, 2007; Seltzer, Krauss, Orsmond, & Vestal, 2001). Unfortunately, there has been relatively little research conducted in the area of treating restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRB) …

The Effects Of Coaching Provided Via Video-Conferencing To Caregivers Of Children With Asd, Kendra L. Antill

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The ability to communicate effectively to others is a pivotal skill necessary to get one’s needs and wants met; however, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have significant delays in communication skills. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices provide an alternative means for children with complex communication needs to express their needs and wants. Communication interventions involving AAC have been largely conducted in school and clinical settings, despite young children spending a significant amount of their time at home and in the community. Family involvement plays a critical role in improved outcomes for young children with disabilities. Recent shifts …

Literature Review Utilizing Handheld Devices In The Education Of Students With Special Needs, Edward A. Hoisington

LC Journal of Special Education

In recent years, technology has had a greater influence in the treatments and interventions of students with ASD. The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature with regards to the use of a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other handheld devices with student diagnosed with ASD. A PDA is “a handheld computer that mainly serves as a personal information organizer,” it allows the user to input data through “an on-screen keyboard or handwriting recognition program using a stylus” (Ferguson, Myles, & Hagiwara, 2005, p. 60). PDAs and other handheld devices In recent years, technology has had a greater …

Autism - The Sensory Piece, Marta Weis

LC Journal of Special Education

The first part of this paper will describe diagnostic characteristics of and the prevalence rates for autism. The second will outline sensory processing terminology and descriptions. The third part of this paper will describe research studies focusing on what if any links there are between ASD and sensory processing problems. The last part of this paper will discuss implications for educators and why understanding how sensory processing difficulties influence the behaviors of individuals with ASD.

Visual Strategies For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Susan L. Mccorkle

LC Journal of Special Education

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) commonly have deficits in the areas of communication, socialization, and behaviors. Because many students with ASD are described as visual learners, they tend to show improved response to information presented visually. By using a student's visual processing strength, these strategies can help decrease reliance on areas of deficits, such as auditory processing and communication. There are many supports teachers can use in the classroom to augment and enhance instruction that will increase student independence while decreasing dependence on adult prompts and cues (Ganz, 2007). Because students with ASD can have difficulties processing and understanding …