Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Comparative Effects Of Low- And High- Tech Visual Activity Schedules On Transition Latency In Young Children With Autism, Mikayla Nelson

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

Low-technology (low-tech) and high-technology (high-tech) visual activity schedules (VAS) were implemented for transitions with three kindergarten males diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An alternating treatment design was used to compare the latency of transitions from a preferred activity to an academic task after presenting a low- or high-tech VAS. Results indicated different effects between participants. Low-tech VAS was effective for one participant, and high-tech VAS was not effective for any participants in this study. Implications and further research are discussed regarding the importance of creating VAS on an individual basis, ensuring that each VAS meets an individual's communication and …

You’Re On Fire: Social Skills Training To Increase Sportsmanship For Teenagers With Disabilities, Madeline K. Wainwright

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

This study presents findings from a multiple probe design that evaluated the effects of social skills training as a method of teaching an increase of good sportsmanship, more particularly compliments of gameplay, for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The research included three U.S. high school students with intellectual disabilities and the data was analyzed across conditions. Following mastery criterion, generalization sessions across contexts were conducted. All participants acquired complimenting behavior through social skills training. However, none of the participants were able to generalize the skill to different contexts. Results and directions for future research regarding generalization in replication and use of …

How Do Couples Of Autistic Children Perceive Their Quality Of Life? A Case Study Featuring Sequential Mixed Methodology, Amanda Duncan Dr.

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

Families who have autistic children report significantly lower quality of life indicators than neurotypical families and those with other developmental disabilities (Bitsika & Sharpley, 2004; Brown et al., 2006; Charnsil & Bathia, 2010; De Sousa, 2010; Merkaj et al., 2013). However, the reports fluctuate between family members as mothers report more mental health challenges than fathers, including stress, anxiety, and depression (Dabrowska & Pstiula, 2010; Hodapp et al., 2003; Merkaj et al., 2013). Yet, these findings are based on the limited research that has been done on fathers and couples (Cheuk & Lashewicz, 2015; Osborne & Reed, 2008; Papageorgiou & …

Enhancing Communication For Individuals With Complex Communication Needs: The Critical Role Of Training And Evidence-Based Aac Strategies, Rachel H. Williams

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

Professional training and evidence-based strategies can enhance communication for individuals with complex communication needs (CCN). These individuals often require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems to express themselves effectively. However, the success of AAC use depends largely on the competence of educators, speech-language pathologists, and other support personnel. The paper emphasizes the necessity of targeted professional development in strategies such as aided language modeling (ALM) and core vocabulary instruction. ALM involves modeling AAC use in natural contexts, while core vocabulary instruction focuses on teaching high- frequency, versatile words to support generative and functional communication. Integrating these strategies across settings improves …

Effectiveness Of Class-Wide Function Related Intervention Teams On The On-Task Behavior Of Middle School Students With Disabilities In A Resource Settings, Sharon Manikya

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The current study examined the effectiveness of Class-Wide Function-related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT) in promoting on-task behavior and improving classroom functioning. The study was conducted with five students, and a single-subject withdrawal experimental design was used to evaluate the impact of CW-FIT on students’ behavior. Results demonstrated a functional relation between the intervention and increased on-task behavior. Overall, findings indicated that CW-FIT had a positive effect on student behavior and classroom functioning, suggesting that the intervention is an effective strategy for enhancing engagement and promoting a productive learning environment. Implications for future research include examining CW-FIT with larger groups of students, …

Special Educator Persistence: Unveiling Teacher Perceptions, Janet Nutt

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

There is a continually growing shortage of special education teachers (SET). The shortage is so dire that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) anticipates that as many as 35,900 new SET will be needed each year for the next decade. One of the leading factors contributing to the shortage of special educators is attrition, or any loss of teachers from their positions (Darling-Hammond, 2003; Ingersoll, 2001). Teacher persistence, therefore, is a critical concern in addressing the teacher shortage. The purpose of this mixed-methods research study is to examine the association between previously identified factors of attrition and SET decisions …

Evaluating A Naturalistic Language Intervention With Students With Complex Communication Needs In An Elementary Classroom, Kristina M. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

Communication is an essential skill for all students, but specifically for students with moderate to severe disabilities. Through communication, our students with disabilities express their wants and need, make and maintain relationships, and participate in daily activities at home, school, and in the community. Play is a natural and motivating activity that encourages communication in all settings. Thus, I looked at using naturalistic language intervention (NLI) as an intervention strategy to increase expressive communication skills in my students with expressive language deficits. This project aimed to increase expressive communication skills in three elementary students with moderate to severe disabilities by …

Speech-Language Pathologists’ Preparation To Become Clinical Educators, Alivia English

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Clinical education is significant in a student clinician’s educational journey to prepare them for their career after graduation. It provides the hands-on component that can only be learned and fully understood through performing. The literature regarding students’ experiences in clinical education is vast, but there is a shortage of literature that explores the perceptions of clinical educators (CEs). This thesis consists of three articles. The first article explores the perceptions speech-language pathologists’ have regarding the preparation they received to become CEs, and then the second article takes a look at how the requirements to becoming CEs differ across similar clinical …

Surveying Teaching Rewards For Effective Behavior Management, Maggie M. West-Johnson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This study investigated the implementation of teacher reward systems within School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) in K–12 educational settings. While the PBIS framework has been extensively studied for its impact on student behavior and academic outcomes, limited attention has been given to supporting and motivating educators through systematic reward systems. This research aimed to identify the types of teacher rewards used, methods of selection and distribution, and staff perceptions of effectiveness and social validity. Using a structured 39-item survey distributed to SWPBIS team members across eight schools in Minnesota, the study gathered quantitative and qualitative data on current …

Innovative Teaching Strategies And Lesson Plans To Support Students With Adhd, Celeste Grantham

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores how creativity, imagination, and problem-solving can be harnessed to improve student outcomes – specifically engagement, motivation, and academic achievement – for students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in elementary classrooms. Rather than conducting a data-driven study, this project draws upon interdisciplinary research from educational psychology, cognitive science, and pedagogy to design inclusive research-informed teaching strategies. The cognitive processes underpinning creativity and imagination – such as divergent thinking, mind-wandering, and creative incubation – are examined as potential strengths often underutilized in traditional classrooms. A comprehensive literature review establishes how these variables interact and influence the learning experiences of students …

The Impact Of Behavior Skills Training On Secondary Math Teachers’ Use Of Evidence Based Classroom Management Strategies, Molly E. Jouflas, Kimberly Dean Dr., Peggy Hickman Dr.

Capstone Showcase

School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SW-PBIS) is a research-based approach that improves student engagement, behavior, and school culture, primarily in elementary schools, but is growing in secondary schools. Secondary teachers often resist SW-PBIS due to perceptions that it’s meant for younger students and the belief that high schoolers should already know socially appropriate behavior. One significant barrier to its implementation is the lack of time and space for effective teacher training at the secondary level (Estrapala et al., 2021; Swain-Bradway et al., 2015). Behavior skills training (BST), derived from applied behavior analysis, has proven effective in training educators to …

Parents In Action For Change, Faisuly Correa Rojas

Education | Graduate Culminating Projects

This handbook offers a structured framework for parents in Marin County’s advocacy group, aimed at informing them about special education and bullying prevention practices to better advocate for their children's education.

Investigating The Impact Of Creativity In Specialized Learning Environments, Samantha Jo Stewart

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Stewart, Samantha, M.A., Summer 2025 Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Chairperson: Dr. Jeb Puryear

This study investigates the impact of creative instructional strategies on student engagement and learning in a K–5 Structured Learning Program (SLP) serving students with behavioral challenges, trauma histories, autism, and twice-exceptionality (2e). A mixed-methods approach was used to compare two instructional periods: September to December, during which traditional teaching methods were used, and January to June, when flexible, creativity-based practices were introduced. Instructional shifts included increased student choice, multimodal tasks, and scaffolded opportunities for divergent thinking. Data sources included daily staff reflections, classroom observations, and student work …

Building An Evidence-Based, Innovative, Special Education Program To Fit The Needs Of New York City Schools And Students, Ginny Dembek, Yoon-Joo Lee, Stella Kyprianou

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Role Of Assistive And Adaptive Technologies In Promoting Inclusivity In Classrooms: A Study On Special Education Trainees, Deepa Sikand Kauts Dr., Moomin Ahmad Rather Mr

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Integrating assistive and adaptive technologies is vital for fostering inclusivity in special education. However, awareness and perceived impact of these tools among aspiring special educators remain underexplored. This study examined the awareness and perceived impact of assistive and adaptive technologies among 56 students enrolled in a Multiple Disabilities (MD) B.Ed. Special Education program. Validated scales with strong reliability and unidimensionality were employed, with the awareness scale explaining 70.62% of the variance and the perceived impact scale accounting for 53.68%. Descriptive and inferential analyses indicated that awareness levels ranged from basic to moderate (mean = 3.37), with a subset showing high …

Pre-Service Teacher Preparation In Over-/Underrepresentation Of Students From Culturally Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds In Special Education: A Systematic Review Of State-Level Policies, Enos Yushu Liu

Honors Theses

Students from culturally linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds require equitable access to special education services to support success in school. Overrepresentation and underrepresentation of students from CLD backgrounds are two issues that policymakers and school leaders need to address, and having teachers knowledgeable in these issues is essential. To determine if pre-service teachers are being trained in understanding over-/ underrepresentation issues, researchers conducted a systematic review of state-level teacher competency policies. Pre-service teacher competencies were coded for the presence of nine key elements related to culturally responsive special education identification practices. The results show that relatively few states require comprehensive pre-service …

Exploring The Collective Efficacy Of Elementary Special Education Teachers And Its Relationship To Distributed Leadership, Emma L. Jones

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

This study examined the relationship between collective teacher efficacy (CTE) and distributed leadership practices among elementary special education teachers. CTE reflects teachers’ shared belief in their collective ability to improve student outcomes, while distributed leadership emphasizes shared decision-making, collaboration, and shared responsibility across school personnel.

Using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, the study combined survey data from the Collective Teacher Belief Scale with follow-up interviews. Survey results from 31 special education teachers indicated moderate to high levels of CTE, with slightly greater confidence in managing student behavior than in delivering instruction. Interviews with teachers across varying CTE levels provided deeper …

Using The Mand-Model Intervention Strategy To Increase Verbal Or Augmentative And Alternative (Aac) Two-Word Utterances For Requesting Items In A Naturalistic Setting, Morgan A. Williams

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

This project examined the effectiveness of the mand-model milieu teaching strategy for increasing two-word verbal or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) requests in a classroom. Three students participated. All students demonstrated increased mean length of utterance in words (MLUw) when requesting preferred items. For all students, correct two-word requests improved following a model prompt. Two students showed limited independent requesting following only a mand, while one student met criterion for consistent independent requesting. Other observed outcomes included improved communicative confidence, reduced frustration behaviors, and increased AAC acceptance and generalization across settings for one participant. Findings suggest that the mand-model strategy …

Understanding The Impact Of Foster Care On Child Development, Catherine Pleska

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project aims to explore the developmental impact of the foster care system on children, focusing on how early trauma and systemic factors influence emotional, social, and cognitive development. Through a systematic literature review, the project will highlight the unique experiences foster children face, examining how early adversity shapes their long-term outcomes. The project will emphasize the importance of trauma-informed care in educational environments, advocating for strategies that create supportive and empathetic classrooms. The objectives include identifying key challenges for foster children and offering recommendations for teachers and school administrators to effectively engage students impacted by trauma. The study also …

Interprofessional Collaboration To Create Visual Supports In Preschool Classrooms: Perspectives Of Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students, Shelby L. Klick

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study explored the perspectives of speech-language pathology (SLP) graduate students following participation in a Preschool Visual Supports interprofessional education (IPE) project. Though IPE initiatives have become more prevalent in healthcare, they are limited in preparing future education professionals. Using qualitative inquiry, this study aimed to explore and assess the impact of an interdisciplinary collaborative project and how participation might influence SLP students’ future approach to creating visual supports for young children and their confidence to do so. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes across five semi-structured interviews conducted with SLP graduate students at a Midwest university. The data …