Perspective On Speech Therapy, Aac Devices, And Community Support: A Case Study Of A Caregiver Of An Adult With Down Syndrome,
2026
Murray State University
Perspective On Speech Therapy, Aac Devices, And Community Support: A Case Study Of A Caregiver Of An Adult With Down Syndrome, Ella Harris
Honors College Theses
For someone with a disability such as Down syndrome (DS), they often present with deficits in speech and language. These individuals typically require a caregiver for their physical, mental, and social needs, and their caregiver also often serves as their primary communication partner. This study explored caregiver perspectives on how they facilitate communication including their experiences with speech therapy services, augmentative and alternative communication, and community communication supports. A caregiver of an adult with DS participated in a structured interview to discuss their experiences as a caregiver for an individual with complex communication needs. The data from the interview was …
Prematurity And Special Education: Raising Awareness Of The Connections Between Preterm Births And Special Education,
2026
University of Mississippi
Prematurity And Special Education: Raising Awareness Of The Connections Between Preterm Births And Special Education, Nadia R. Corder
Honors Theses
In this thesis, the goal was to find the link, if any, between prematurity and special education, with regards to probability of special education and outcomes, and to create a means of professional development for not only special education teachers about prematurity risks and effects on students but also parental education about the possible procedures of their child’s education. This is accomplished through the organization of infographic pamphlets for parents and an online professional development presentation. Both these formats are compliant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility parameters. A literature review was conducted to achieve this goal using …
Ready: Piloting An Inclusive Higher Education Program For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities At The University Of Mississippi,
2026
University of Mississippi
Ready: Piloting An Inclusive Higher Education Program For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities At The University Of Mississippi, Emily R. Davis
Honors Theses
The University of Mississippi is currently one of the few SEC schools that does not offer an inclusive higher education program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs). An initiative to bring inclusive higher education to Ole Miss began as a passion project led by Honors College student Bailey Beaird and continued through 2024. Bailey worked diligently to research and design a model for implementing a four-year inclusive higher education program (IHEP). Ultimately, the decision was made by the administration to postpone advancement of a four-year program due to limited campus resources and concerns surrounding long-term sustainability. Instead, the …
Comprehensive Review Of Writing Instruction And Writing Curriculum,
2026
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Comprehensive Review Of Writing Instruction And Writing Curriculum, Brooklyn E. Vonbank
Dissertations, Theses, and Projects
This capstone project provides a comprehensive review of writing instruction and writing curriculum, with focus on improving outcomes for students, particularly those with learning disabilities. Chapter 1 examines how students learn to write through the cognitive process model (Flower & Hayes, 1981), emphasizing the recursive nature of planning, translating, and reviewing, as well as the interconnected relationship between reading and writing. It also explores why students with learning disabilities often experience difficulty with writing due to challenges with foundational skills and increased cognitive load. Chapter 2 identifies key gaps in writing instruction, including limited instructional time, inconsistent implementation of evidence-based …
Evidence-Based Practice: A Framework For Behavior Analytic Training And Supervision,
2026
Utah State University
Evidence-Based Practice: A Framework For Behavior Analytic Training And Supervision, Audrey N. Hoffmann, Andrea Q. Hoang
Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Faculty Publications
As the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) grows, there is a need for effective and high-quality fieldwork supervision to prepare a growing workforce. This paper proposes the use of evidence-based practice (EBP) as a decision-making framework in the training of behavior analysts, emphasizing its potential to enhance the skillsets of practitioners. EBP involves integrating the best available evidence, client values, and professional judgment to guide clinical decisions. While the use of EBP as a clinical decision-making framework has grown in other helping professions, its application in the field of ABA remains limited. This paper proposes competencies for EBP decision-making …
Gospel Reception And Response In Children With Profound Cognitive Disabilities,
2026
Liberty University
Gospel Reception And Response In Children With Profound Cognitive Disabilities, Reagan Lewis
Senior Honors Theses
This study attempts to build a bridge over a gap in research regarding how to observe children with profound cognitive disabilities’ understanding of the gospel, also incorporating information about ministry structure, caregiver responsibility, and methods for presenting the gospel. This qualitative study was interview-based: four ministry leaders representing three disability ministries were interviewed, and then a focus group was conducted to discuss further. Field observations also took place at each ministry site. Key findings included importance of flexibility in ministry environments, shared spiritual responsibility of caregivers and ministry leaders, necessity of repetition and concrete examples in gospel presentation, emphasis on …
Exploring Alternative Curriculum Implementation In Special Education Settings,
2026
Kennesaw State University
Exploring Alternative Curriculum Implementation In Special Education Settings, Amber R. Wilson
Dissertations
The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand teachers’ perceptions of implementing an alternative curriculum in their self-contained special education settings and grade levels, as well as their perceptions of the training and ongoing support provided for its implementation. This study used a case study research design. Findings revealed that the participants experienced several challenges related to training, ongoing support, and curriculum implementation, including issues aligning the alternative curriculum with state standards and assessments. This study is significant because alternative curriculum implementation is under-researched in the United States, and the international literature on this topic is limited.
Increasing Pride Skills For Child Engagement Using Cdi-Only Ipcit With Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder,
2026
The University of Southern Mississippi
Increasing Pride Skills For Child Engagement Using Cdi-Only Ipcit With Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jordan T. Etherington, Zachary C. Labrot, Emily R. Defouw, Brad Dufrene, Brittany D. Garza, Amarah Sweaks, Briley Newcomb
Faculty Publications
Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) display elevated levels of challenging behaviors and decreased social engagement. Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) may help children with ASD increase rates at which they engage and interact with their caregivers. Existing barriers to treatment completion, including high attrition and travel time and costs, may be ameliorated by delivering PCIT virtually (iPCIT) and setting attainable mastery criteria. This study utilized a multiple baseline design across three caregiver-child dyads with ASD to determine whether an iPCIT protocol affected caregivers’ use of positive engagement skills, children’s engagement, and children’s challenging behaviors. Results demonstrated increased and …
Inclusive Instructional Practices: System-Wide Support For Students With Disabilities In Technical, Vocational Education And Training In Vihiga County, Kenya,
2026
Aga Khan University
Inclusive Instructional Practices: System-Wide Support For Students With Disabilities In Technical, Vocational Education And Training In Vihiga County, Kenya, Maurine Kageriza, Howard Omukami
Institute for Educational Development, East Africa
Kenya’s TVET sector has fully transitioned to the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) framework, with one of the major challenges being the adoption of instructional requirements for students with disabilities, an inclusion issue compounded by exclusionary risk, and the choice of appropriate instructional experiences. Inclusive instructional practices remain a critical practice for mitigating marginalisation in mastering competencies. This study investigates inclusive instructional practices for SWDs in TVET in Vihiga County, Kenya. A convergent mixed methods with embedded case study design was employed in two public TVET institutions in Vihiga County, Kenya, involving 36 students with disabilities, 46 trainers, and 8 …
Bridging The Gap: Educating Students On The Neurodiverse Experience,
2026
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Bridging The Gap: Educating Students On The Neurodiverse Experience, Riley Axtell
Human Development and Family Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses
Neurodivergent students face misunderstanding, stigma, and systemic barriers that impact academic and emotional well-being. The purpose of this study was to develop and implement a curriculum-based project designed to educate college students about neurodiverse experiences and improve knowledge, empathy, and understanding. The curriculum was administered in two formats: an in-person format with pre- and post-survey measurements and an online “choose your own adventure” implementation utilizing post-survey measurements. Participants engaged in simulated cognitive and sensory activities that represented experiences associated with dyslexia, ADHD, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Although limited by a small sample size, reliance on self-report measures, lack of a pre-survey …
Educator Perception Of Principal Leadership For Developing Teacher Self-Efficacy In Inclusive Education,
2026
Indiana State University
Educator Perception Of Principal Leadership For Developing Teacher Self-Efficacy In Inclusive Education, Jessica L. Jones
All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This quantitative study explored general education teacher perceptions of the most impactful principal leadership actions for developing teacher self-efficacy for the education of students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms and schools. An Inclusive Leadership Practices survey was developed by the researcher using qualitative research from Whybrew (2018), the Essential Best Practices in Inclusive Schools Tool (Jorgensen et al., 2012), and leadership research by Hitt and Tucker (2016). General education teachers with experience teaching students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms who chose to participate in this study completed the survey as a measure of their perceptions on inclusive leadership practices. They …
The Phoenix Project: A Self-Regulation Approach To Improving Credit Recovery Outcomes,
2026
Utah State University
The Phoenix Project: A Self-Regulation Approach To Improving Credit Recovery Outcomes, Janice Smith
All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present
Graduation from high school is a critical milestone that leads to better job opportunities, higher education, and a lifetime of economic stability, which is why improving graduation rates is a critically important focus. However, many students who attend alternative schools face significant barriers to graduation, including inconsistent attendance, academic deficits, and personal challenges. The purpose of this creative project is to develop a self-determination intervention to support students when working on credit recovery. This creative project includes (1) a description of relevant research used to inform this project, (2) a description of the intervention and how it worked for students, …
Implementation Of Udl In Secondary Classrooms: A Capstone Project,
2026
Utah State University
Implementation Of Udl In Secondary Classrooms: A Capstone Project, Livia J. Mortensen
All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present
In today’s classrooms, students come from various backgrounds and may benefit from a variety of instructional approaches to meet their unique learning needs. Regardless of the need to tailor instruction for students, traditional teaching methods continue in classrooms but often fail to accommodate all the needs of our students. Many students, including students with disabilities, may struggle to engage with the standard curriculum that does not provide sufficient flexibility in instruction to reach all types of learners (Smith, 2012). Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework that seeks to address this specific issue by promoting inclusive teaching practices, …
Check-In/Check-Out Implementation Across Grade Levels For Improving Unexcused Absences In A High School Setting,
2026
Utah State University
Check-In/Check-Out Implementation Across Grade Levels For Improving Unexcused Absences In A High School Setting, Otis C. Bitsuie
All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present
Chronic absenteeism may contribute to declining graduation rates for many students with disabilities. Students with disabilities face challenges with academic and emotional behaviors. Chronic absenteeism causes students to fall behind with classroom materials, and they are unable to utilize instructional supports, emotional supports, or assistance with transitions. Students with disabilities who miss class often tend to drop out of school, which leads to difficulties with navigating post-high school life. Students who do not obtain a school diploma often experience high unemployment rates, homelessness, and incarceration. Students facing chronic absenteeism need interventions that will improve problem behaviors amongst students. I will …
Listening To Those Who Stay: Support Systems Influencing Special Education Teacher Retention,
2026
Xavier University of Louisiana
Listening To Those Who Stay: Support Systems Influencing Special Education Teacher Retention, Carol Jean Dawson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Retention among special education teachers is a constant challenge across the country. Educators in these positions often have heavy workloads, emotionally demanding responsibilities, and complex caseloads leading to burnout and high turnover rates. Despite these challenges, most of them persevere in the field for extended periods, which indicate that robust and effective support systems are essential to aiding their commitment. In examining this phenomenon, this qualitative study focused on the lived experiences of six special education teachers who worked in the same school setting for a minimum of five years with the aim of identifying support structures that affect motivation, …
Decreasing Inappropriate Student Behavior Using Interdependent Group Contingency: Students With Intellectual Disabilities,
2026
Utah State University
Decreasing Inappropriate Student Behavior Using Interdependent Group Contingency: Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Shelby Craig
All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present
Students with intellectual disabilities have the right to participate in the same educational activities as their peers while receiving appropriate supports. Many schools implement Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to promote appropriate behavior through structured reinforcement systems, including group contingencies. This study examined the effectiveness of a group contingency intervention, the Caterpillar Game, in reducing inappropriate behaviors among six students with intellectual disabilities. Results indicated a consistent decrease in inappropriate behaviors following implementation of the intervention.
Enhancing Evidence-Based Practice Decision-Making Among Practitioners In Adult Disability Service Settings,
2026
Utah State University
Enhancing Evidence-Based Practice Decision-Making Among Practitioners In Adult Disability Service Settings, Aubrey Vance
All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present
Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA®s) working in adult disability services often face challenges such as high caseloads, limited oversight, and restricted resources, which can make it difficult to use individualized, research-supported interventions. Although evidence-based practice (EBP) is central to applied behavior analysis, many practitioners receive little training on how to integrate research evidence, client values, and clinical judgment into their decision-making. This study examined whether BCBAs could be effectively trained to use a structured decision-making framework based on the EBP model by Slocum et al. (2014). Using a multiple baseline design, we evaluated the effects of Behavioral Skills Training (BST) …
Strengthening Parent Participation In Iep Goal Development And Decision-Making,
2026
California State University, San Bernardino
Strengthening Parent Participation In Iep Goal Development And Decision-Making, Jenny Chu
Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations
This project examined how public-school districts support parent preparation and communication prior to Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. Grounded in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a special education law which identifies parents as equal members of the IEP team (IDEA, 2004), this project focused on how structured, open, and transparent communication practices can strengthen parent readiness to actively participate in IEP meetings and engage in collaborative decision-making. A document analysis was conducted using publicly available information from ten public school districts in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. District websites were systematically reviewed to identify the availability …
Perceptions Of Effective Co-Teaching Partnerships In High School Inclusive Classrooms,
2026
East Tennessee State University
Perceptions Of Effective Co-Teaching Partnerships In High School Inclusive Classrooms, Korri-Lee S. Wood
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the characteristics and contextual factors that general education and special education teachers perceive as essential for effective co-teaching partnerships in high school inclusive classrooms. The study, which involved in-depth interviews with general and special education teachers in co-teaching partnerships, was conducted within a constructivist paradigm to shed light on interpersonal, communicative, and systemic variables that contribute to a positive, productive co-teaching experience. Purposeful sampling was employed to select general and special education teachers who were part of co-teaching partnerships. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data from semi-structured interviews, and an …
The Influence Of Intervention Strategies On Students With Disabilities Who Exhibit Challenging Behaviors In Rural Public Schools: Teacher Perceptions,
2026
East Tennessee State University
The Influence Of Intervention Strategies On Students With Disabilities Who Exhibit Challenging Behaviors In Rural Public Schools: Teacher Perceptions, Ben B. Robertson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This phenomenological qualitative study addressed rural teachers' perceptions of the influence of intervention strategies on students with disabilities who exhibit challenging behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine teachers’ perceptions of the effect of intervention strategies on academic achievement, student behavior outcomes, and teacher self-efficacy through the lens of Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory. This theory is a complex, dynamic interaction among people, their behaviors, and their environments. Data collection included 14 individual interviews, conducted on Zoom with educators from one school district in Southern Virginia, including seven general education teachers and seven special education teachers. Data analysis strategies …
