Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Do Dyslexia Laws Help Students With Visual Impairments Receive Needed Reading Supports? A Mixed-Methods Approach., Lindsay N. Harris, Johnnie Jones, Molly Pasley, Lisa Liberty, Tiffany Puckett

CISLL Publications

Teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs) have long expressed frustrations about the difficulty of getting a dyslexia diagnosis for students with visual impairments, but there is limited data to validate their concerns. Moreover, although most U.S. states have passed dyslexia laws that require universal screening and/or intervention for students with dyslexia, the laws may not be applied equally across all populations of students. A mixed-methods approach can validate TSVIs’ perspectives by revealing whether dyslexia legislation is associated with TSVIs’ perceptions of how their students’ needs are being met. To this end, we conducted a qualitative analysis of TSVI survey …

Effectiveness Of An Inclusive, Small-Group Adapted Aquatics Program On Increasing Vo2max In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Peggy Manuelita Scarborough

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

There is a need to examine the effectiveness of interventions, such as swimming, that are aimed at increasing physical health and developing psychomotor skills in an inclusive setting for children with ASD. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an inclusive, small-group adapted aquatics program on increasing VO₂max in children with ASD. Participants included two 11-year-old children diagnosed with ASD. The study took place over eight weeks and included a six-week Small-Group Adapted Aquatics (SGAA) program. Participants were assessed for VO₂max using the 20m PACER test during week one and week eight …

Caring For The Caregiver: A Study On The Quality Of Life Of Informal Caregivers Of Aging And Elderly Adults With Down Syndrome, Isabel E. Latorre-Lagos

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This research studied the quality of life of informal caregivers of aging and elderly adults with Down syndrome. Prior research indicates some degree of deteriorating Quality of Life (QoL) for caregivers, however, there is no empirical research isolating the aspect QoL affected. This study seeks to research the following two questions: 1) What are the trends in the four domains that influence Quality of Life, both positively and negatively, of informal caregivers of aging and elderly adults with Down syndrome? and 2)What supports do caregivers of aging and elderly adults with Down syndrome want to improve their own Quality of …

Diverse Minds, Shared Planet: Designing, Assessing, And Adapting Curricula To Engage Diverse Learners With Their Environment And Inspire Positive Change, Mallory Rose Lampe

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

The pieces that compose this portfolio together explore how environmental education can connect diverse learners to their environment through the integration of accessible curricula to inspire stewardship and action to take care of the planet we share.

Ecpse 733: Advanced Seminar In Aba Syllabus, Lenwood Gibson

Open Educational Resources

No abstract provided.

Instrumental Assessment Of Aero-Resistive Expiratory Muscle Strength Rehabilitation Devices, Angela M. Dietsch, Rahul Krishnamurthy, Kelsey Young, Steven M. Barlow

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Purpose

Expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) is increasingly being used to treat voice, cough, and swallowing deficits in a wide range of conditions. However, a multitude of aero-resistive EMST models are commercially available, and the absence of side-by-side comparative data interferes with clinicians’ ability to assess which model is best suited to a particular client’s needs. The primary aim of this research was to test and compare the pressure and flow parameters of six currently available EMST models to help inform clinical decision making.

Method

We identified and tested five devices of each of six different EMST models to generate …

Dueling Abilities, Behaviors, And Characteristics Of Gifted Learners, David Wolff

Open Educational Resources - Teaching and Learning

Using the Star Wars’ characters, R2-D2 and C-3PO as analogies, educators can better conceptualize the diverse ability, behaviors, and characteristics of gifted learners. Gifted learners do not fit a single profile and this essay aims to help challenge stereotypes teachers may have of gifted learners and highlight the diverse cognitive, social, and emotional needs gifted learners may have.

Unlocking Understanding About Giftedness, David Wolff

Open Educational Resources - Teaching and Learning

The goal of undergraduate teacher preparation programs is to prepare future teachers to work with all learners. Gifted and talented learners are likely found in every classroom regardless of where they reside, however, according to Rinn et al. (2022), Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Nebraska do not require undergraduate teacher candidates to take university coursework on gifted education. The goal of this presentation is to provide a general overview of gifted education specific to Kansas. This presentation aims to address myths and misconceptions about gifted education and gifted learners, characteristics of gifted learners, a basic overview of a general identification …

Power Of Partnership: The Effects Of Parent Training In Aided-Language Input On The Use Of Core Vocabulary Boards In The Homes Of Preschool Children: A Program Evaluation, Stephanie Jean Smith

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems play a crucial role in enhancing communication, language development, and learning for children with complex communication needs (CCN). Research suggests that AAC can significantly improve interaction with communication partners and mitigate risks in various developmental areas such as functional communication skills, speech, social engagement, and academic participation.

Early intervention is paramount for children with CCN to foster speech and language development, enabling them to express needs, interact socially, and lay the groundwork for future language skills. Introducing AAC systems early on and ensuring frequent exposure are essential for natural integration. Parents and caregivers must …

Infusing Universal Design For Learning With Trauma-Informed Educational Practice: What Early Childhood Personnel Think And How They'll Pull It Off, Marlena L. Jenkins

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research recruited ten early childhood personnel within a public elementary school and attempted to gain insight into their beliefs and attitudes directly related to the principles of universal design for learning and the tenets of trauma-informed educational practice. Through this qualitative study, the researcher posited the importance of explicit professional learning and a supportive and openly communicative school environment to support the implementation of a combined trauma-informed universal design for learning (Ti-UDL) framework. Such a model has implications not only impacting personnel and student relationships, but those occurring amongst school-wide personnel of all levels. This research employed multiple phases, …

The Effects Of The Video Modeling Product Gemiini© On Verbal Response Production Of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder Who Are Nonspeaking Or Minimally Speaking, Miranda Ann Galvin

Dissertations and Theses

The current study evaluates the effectiveness of the commercial video modeling program GemIIni© (GemIIni© Educational Systems, 2012) in increasing expressive spoken language production in individuals who exhibit characteristics of autism spectrum disorder and are considered nonspeaking or minimally speaking. Based upon the principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis, video modeling has been identified as an evidence-based practice in teaching skills to students with disabilities. In this study, the criteria for using a single-case alternating treatment design embedded within an AB experimental design was implemented to evaluate the effect of the video modeling system on the number of responses produced.

Research To Policy To Practice: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Special Education Recruitment Using State Emergency Funds During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jarrod Hobson

Theses and Dissertations

An adequate supply of special education teachers is a long-term critical need in many schools across the United States. The Covid-19 Pandemic increased the urgency of this need, but also brought about new opportunities to address these long-standing challenges. Policymakers and government agencies played a vital role in capitalizing on these opportunities. This dissertation study consists of two content analyses of publicly available documents related to actions of the executive branch of state governments to address critical special education shortages from March 2020 to September 2024. The first qualitative content analysis consists of 51 documents which include the “State Plan …

Special Educators’ Insights On Essential Mentoring Components: A Mixed-Method Examination, Rachel W. Bowman

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-method study used the Nominal Group Technique to gain insights into the essential components of mentoring programs for new special education teachers. Mentors and mentees participated in highly-structured focus groups in which they generated, discussed, ranked, and rated ideas about important elements of mentoring and considerations for matching mentors and mentees. Transcriptions of interviews were coded and analyzed to generate themes, and means of rankings and ratings were calculated. Qualitative and quantitative data were compared, and data were disaggregated by the racial background of the participants. Findings indicated that mentoring programs and matches must be thoroughly individualized and focus …

Academic Grouping And School Sense Of Belonging: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Of Middle School Student Voices, Kevin Cox

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

School sense of belonging is critical for students’ academic achievement and emotional well-being. The development of a sense of school belonging is influenced by direct and indirect factors within the school environment. Categorization into low and high achievement groups based on academics is a process largely outside the direct control of a student. This study employed an interpretive phenomenological analysis of interviews conducted with 17 seventh- and eighth-grade students about their belonging experience in a Midwestern public middle school. Experiences of students academically categorized as high, typical, or low achievers were compared and described in the context of three emergent …

The Effectiveness Of A Visual Activity Schedule In Aquatics On Skill Acquisition In Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Marcus J. Romero

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This study investigates the effectiveness of a Visual Activity Schedule (VAS) on the acquisition of aquatic skills (floating, front glide, and breath control) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Due to the heightened risk of drowning among people with ASD, this research aims to determine if a VAS can enhance learning and safety in aquatic environments. The study utilizes a multiple baseline design across skills, involving two male participants aged 16 and 17 years old, both diagnosed with ASD. Baseline assessments were administered and followed by intervention phases where VAS was introduced. The dependent variables were the successful completion …

Co-Teaching In Steam With Dhh Learners, Stephanie Gardiner-Walsh

Faculty Publications - College of Education

This poster series is a supplement to the chapter "Science, Technology, Engineering, (Arts), and Math (STEAM) Education of Students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing" and presents unique considerations for deaf and hard of hearing learners in a STEAM classroom.

Roles And Responsibilities When Learners Have Cvi: Perspectives From Vision Professionals, Mindy Ely, Ashley Strausbaugh, Amy Yount

Faculty Publications - College of Education

Introduction: The roles and responsibilities outlined in a white paper by Mazel et al., outline a scope of practice for vision professionals when learners are diagnosed with cerebral visual impairment (CVI). The goal of the current study was to identify teachers’ knowledge and skills to apply these roles and responsibilities in practice. Methods: Participants in this study had to be a certified vision teacher or orientation and mobility specialist and have at least one child with CVI on their caseload. Participants (n = 238) were surveyed and asked to rate their skills and knowledge, agreement, and current practice …

Paraprofessionals In A Special Education Setting: A Qualitative Exploration Of Their Perceptions, Chana S. Max, Keisha Mccoy-Dailey

The Qualitative Report

Paraprofessionals support teachers and students in the classroom. Their roles and responsibilities vary; however, their goal is always to improve student achievement. The purpose of the study was to fill a gap in the literature related to special education paraprofessionals’ perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs on the support and trainings they receive prior to and during their job as a paraprofessional for students in a special education setting. Generic qualitative methodology was used to capture the thoughts, experience, and perceptions of 42 paraprofessionals across the United States. Data collection included an eight-question online questionnaire. Results of the study revealed five patterns …

Use Of Online Hybrid Supplemental Teaching In Field-Based Teacher Education Programs, Hank Bohanon, Wenjin Guo, Christopher Dickman

Education: School of Education Faculty Publications and Other Works

University faculty who implement field-based teacher education programs experience challenges providing instruction for clinical, site-embedded university-based students. These issues can include a lack of common times to meet with students, limited access to meeting space to provide direct instruction, and changes in the school schedule. A number of these barriers may be addressed by adding elements of online instruction to traditional in-person classes, making the course, in effect, a hybrid one. In this study, the researchers analyzed the perspectives of university-based, special education focused instructors and clinical partners on the barriers, needs, benefits, and content related to implementing hybrid instruction …

How Virtual Reality Simulations Prepare Teachers In Teacher Preparation Programs For Inclusive Classrooms, Lorilei G. Thompson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Teacher preparation programs are ever evolving based on research and student needs. The use of technology, such as virtual reality (VR), is at the forefront of education to help provide opportunities for teacher candidates to practice teaching in a semi-authentic classroom environment of students with and without exceptionalities. VR is a way for teacher candidates to practice teaching in a structured and conceivably less stressful environment in comparison to a real brick and mortar inclusive classroom. This qualitative study utilizes interviewing with video cuing for two novice teacher participants who went through the same inclusive education course at a major …