Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Component Analysis Of Interactive Computer Training To Teach Paraprofessionals To Deliver Behavioral Skills Training, Scott V. Page

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In education and Applied Behavior Analysis, there is growing demand for well-trained entry-level individuals to deliver behavior interventions. Interactive Computer Training allows trainees to access online instruction with video demonstrations, interactive tasks, and feedback, without a live instructor. This training approach could save valuable training time and money. Prior researchers demonstrated these types of training can teach trainees to correctly use behavior interventions. There are gaps in our understanding of Interactive Computer Trainings that limit its successful use. Few studies measured cost-effectiveness, identified the effective features of Interactive Computer Training (e.g., videos, quizzes, feedback), or trained users to deliver effective …

Caregiver Mand Training: Evaluating The Effects Of Using Bug-In-Ear Coaching Via Telehealth, Makenna P. Carnesecca

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Applied Behavior Analysis has been seen to be an effective way to help teach skills to children with autism. Caregivers' involvement in teaching these skills is beneficial for their child's progress. Using Bug-in-Ear coaching, which provides in-the-moment instructions and feedback to caregivers via Bluetooth headphones, has been demonstrated to be a potential way to train caregivers to teach skills to their children. This current study aimed to evaluate if the use of Bug-in-Ear coaching via telehealth was an effective way to teach caregivers to train their children how to ask for wanted foods using picture cards. The results of this …

An Evaluation Of Using Linked Digital Activity Schedules To Teach Sociodramatic Play, Nicholas Lindgren

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Individuals with ASD often have difficulties communicating with peers and navigating social interactions (APA, 2022). Building these skills may help these individuals interact with peers, siblings, and others in the community. One area where individuals with ASD may need support is engaging in play. Specifically, in engaging in sociodramatic play (i.e., pretend play that involves role-playing aspects of real life). Traditionally, applied behavior analysis (ABA) and activity schedules are evidence-based approaches that have been used to teach play behaviors to individuals with ASD. However, few researchers have evaluated how a linked digital activity schedule can increase the sociodramatic play responding …

Caregiver Implemented Standardized To Individualized Behavior Analytic Toilet Training Package For Autistic Preschoolers, Jessica A. Osos

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Autistic children often face challenges with toilet training and may benefit from a more structured and systematic approach compared to methods used for neurotypical children. While research and literature in this area has shown that behavior analytic toilet training packages can lead to increasing successful urinations and reducing accidents for autistic children, limitations such as not including caregivers as the individuals implementing the package, unsustainable sit schedules, and lack of acceptable levels of checks for accurate data collection and implementation of procedures highlight the need for refining of implementation oversight and examination of updated toileting procedures without the use of …

Exploring The Social Validity And Diffusion Potential Of Common Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention Strategies Implemented In Community Preschools, Sophia R. D'Agostino, Trenton J. Landon, Alyssa Roylance, Avery Briggs, Naima Bhana-Lopez

Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Faculty Publications

It is imperative that researchers include the perspectives from key voices regarding early support practices, yet very few studies have included direct assessment of autistic individuals and parents of young autistic children. Despite emerging evidence of effectiveness of naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention (NDBI) strategies, it is currently unknown whether autistic adults and parents of autistic individuals know about NDBI and if they view NDBI strategies as socially valid practice. We aimed to explore the perceptions of autistic adults and parents of young autistic children regarding the social validity of NDBI strategies implemented in community preschool classrooms and their dissemination potential. …

Using A Token Economy In A First-Grade Classroom To Increase On-Task Behavior, Ana Kesler, Emma Preston, Milad Najafichaghabouri, Kristen R. Rolf

Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Faculty Publications

Token economies are an adaptable intervention used effectively in many settings to improve behavior, including schools. When used in schools, students are often given a board or chart on which to collect tokens (i.e., small items or marks) for desired behavior(s). Tokens are then exchanged for students’ preferred rewards. This chapter presents a case study of token economies implemented with five students who were unresponsive to class-wide (Tier 1) strategies in a general education first-grade classroom. The intervention was designed and implemented by a paraeducator who worked collaboratively with the classroom teacher to select students, develop intervention procedures, collect and …

Implementing Reading Mastery As A Component Of Tiered Literacy Instruction, Kristen R. Rolf, Peter Ehlen, Teresa Buttars

Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Faculty Publications

Despite attempts at reform over the decades, many students with and without disabilities in the United States struggle to learn to read. Bear River Charter School is a K-6 public charter school in Utah that has effectively used Reading Mastery Signature Edition to teach most students to read at grade-level by the end of third grade. Data from the 2022-2023 school year show that over 80% of students in kindergarten, over 70% of students in Grades 1 and 2, and over 90% of students in Grade 3 met grade-level reading benchmarks by the end of the year. This chapter describes …

Teaching Methods To Build The Numeracy Skills Of Preschoolers With Disabilities And Complex Communication Needs, Avery Briggs

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This project explored the use of a curriculum that incorporates naturalistic and explicit instructional approaches through literature and direct teaching moments on the numeracy skills of three students with disabilities and complex communication needs. The numeracy skills targeted included patterning and sorting, shape discrimination, and quantity discrimination. This project took place during Extended School Year (ESY), a program that extends the traditional school year to provide services to students with disabilities. Student present levels and progress were assessed through a pretest and posttest given on the first and last days of ESY, in addition to progress monitoring data taken during …

Professional Portfolio: Assessment Of And Strategies For Improving A Middle School Student’S Mathematics Performance, Gwenyth O. Falck

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This project explores strategies to help secondary students with disabilities improve their mathematics performance. With eighth-grade math scores trending downward and algebra serving as a critical gateway to higher education, target interventions are needed. The literature review highlights two main instructional methods: the Explicit Inquiry Routine (EIR) and the Concrete-Representational-Abstract Integration (CRA-I). Both incorporate physical and virtual manipulatives. These approaches have been shown to help students grasp algebraic concepts, retain what they have learned and apply the skills to new types of problems.

In addition to the research review, this paper includes assessment and intervention reports for a seventh-grade student …

Systematic Review On The Use Of Self-Monitoring Interventions With Adhd/Asd Students In School Settings, Sari Christensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This systematic literature review was done to determine characteristics and descriptive analysis of the use of self-monitoring behavior interventions (SMI) with students in the educational setting who are diagnosed with ASD/ADHD. The objective was to create resources for future practitioners and interventionists to direct future use of SMI in schools and identify areas of study needed. Behavior interventions are often used to support students with disabilities to access their education in a school setting. Individuals diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are included in this population. A type of behavior using the analysis of …

Assessing The Attitudes Of General Education Kindergarten Teachers Making Classroom And Teaching Adaptations For Students With Disabilities, Joseph Graul

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The transition from preschool to kindergarten can be particularly challenging for children with disabilities in inclusive classrooms (general education classrooms where typically developing children and children with disabilities are taught together) as children face new academic, social, and behavioral expectations. Classroom and teaching adaptations can help these students succeed, making the transition to kindergarten and elementary education smooth and effective. This study looks at how general education kindergarten teachers feel about making various classroom adaptations for children with disabilities and compares current teachers’ views to those of a similar 1999 study conducted by Vaughn et al. which this study replicates. …

Transition Readiness Toolkit: Filling A Gap In Assessing Pre-Employment Transition Services, Brian Nelson Phillips

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of Transition Professional Profiles Based On Value-Based Principles: A Latent Profile Analysis, Anthony Plotner, Angie Starrett, Charles Walters, Rebecca Smith Hill

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

This paper presents findings from a study utilizing Latent Profile Analysis to examine the value-based principles of transition professionals from two distinct disciplines: special education and Centers for Independent Living (CIL). Specifically, this paper aimed to identify profiles emerging from the value orientations of special education and CIL professionals, and to explore how individual factors such as professional role, disability status, education, and years’ experience differ across these profiles. Findings revealed a taxonomy comprising four distinct profiles within the transition professionals sampled. These profiles delineate varying dominant values that encapsulate the convergence of special education and independent living philosophies. Implications …

Exploring Parental Perspectives On The Transition To Kindergarten For Children With Disabilities, Kari Alberque, Somer Matthews

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

This qualitative interview study explores the personal narratives of parents of children with disabilities regarding the transition of their child to kindergarten. Informed by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, we conducted six parent interviews during the kindergarten year to collect insights about their experiences, challenges, and sources of support. This study aimed to inform the development of effective practices that support families during this critical transition period. Through reflexive thematic analysis, we identified several themes from the data, which include: (1) challenges in understanding the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the transition process, (2) the value of parent-to-parent support networks, (3) …

Quality Of Life Domains For Students Living With A Severe Disability And Their Families, Eden Withers

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Background and Purpose

From the latter half of the 20th century to now, the United States has dramatically focused its efforts on increasing life longevity and quality of life for people with disabilities, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Federal legislation has taken steps to increase quality of life for people with IDD. Quality of life can be assessed through a variety of questionnaires, including the familial perspective of quality of life. Although quality of life can be assessed and it is supported by federal legislation, people with IDD broadly have yet to experience an enviable quality of …

Take A Seat: The Impact Of Three Classroom Seating Arrangements On Individual Student Performance, Mikayla Camacho

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This study tested three common classroom seating arrangements: rows and columns, groups, and semicircle. It tested various seating arrangements to determine which one works best for young students who struggle with staying on task and tend to be disruptive. Researchers also studied if students did their work correctly and finished on time and what both students and teachers thought about the seating arrangements. Four students were observed in the different seating arrangements, and 10 students and one teacher were asked to answer questions about the different types of seating arrangements. The students' focus and behavior improved with semicircle seating; whereas, …

The Effects Of The Performance Diagnostic Checklist-Human Services Non-Indicated Intervention On Improving Documentation Notes, Leigha Thorum

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Performance Diagnostic Checklist-Human Services (PDC-HS) is an assessment used in human service settings to determine effective interventions to improve employee performance. In this study, we used the PDC-HS assessment to help find a type of training that would best improve the quality of session note documentation completed by RBTs® in an autism clinical setting. The participating RBTs® all showed an increase in documentation quality during the non-indicated intervention phase. The results suggest that the PDC-HS non-indicated intervention was effective in improving RBT® performance in completing session note documentation and further research should be conducted to study the impact of …

Applying Implementation Supports To Professional Development To Improve Implementation Of The Caught Being Good Game, Dylan Zimmerman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Disruptive behavior in the classroom can cause challenges for both teachers and students, creating high levels of teacher stress and preventing students from accessing academic instruction. Training on evidence-based classroom management is often resource-intensive and has inconsistent impact on teacher behavior in the classroom. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of professional development on paraprofessionals' treatment fidelity of the Caught Being Good Game. We used a multiple baseline design to provide a tiered model of professional development to provide the least intensive level necessary to support implementation. Results indicate that all four teachers successfully implemented most …

Reactivity On Student On-Task Behavior: An Analysis Of On-Task Operational Definitions And Observer Presence On Student Behavior, Daria G. Fuell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This study examines student engagement during academic tasks, specifically investigating how the presence and type of observer affect student performance. The objective was to understand the influence of different observer conditions—no observer, an observer behind an observation window, a researcher in the session room, and a caregiver in the session room—on student behavior. Using a multi-element design, the study assessed three measures: active on-task behavior, passive on-task behavior, and academic work completion. The literature review identified a lack of recent research on how students respond to adult observers during academic tasks and highlighted the variability in definitions of engagement. To …

Predicting Individual Hiking Trail Intensity Using Statistical Learning, Kelci Hannan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Hiking is an increasingly popular choice for people wanting to engage in recreation and physical activity. It not only offers the many benefits of exercise but also the opportunity to explore nature and to socialize. To ensure that new hikers are prepared to hike and remain safe while on the trail, knowledge of a hiking trail's difficulty is important. Trail difficulty information is sometimes available at the trailhead if the trail is well-trafficked and maintained but is nearly always available online or through a hiking-specific mobile application, such as AllTrails. Both trailhead and online sources provide only one difficulty rating …

Evaluating Social Interactions As A Byproduct Of The Good Behavior Game Within An Elementary Small Group Classroom, Emma Walton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Children with Autism exhibit significantly fewer social interaction behaviors than their neurotypical peers. Much of the research around this deficit focuses on early intervention, and specialty services such as ABA intervention. The Good Behavior Game is an interdependent group contingency that has been shown to improve academic, social and appropriate behaviors in a variety of settings. This study explored the effects of the GBG on the social interactions of elementary students within special education without specifically targeting social interactions with peers through the game's rules. This study found negative (null) results, indicating that the GBG did not affect the social …

Elementary Science Essential Elements Curriculum Map & Progress Monitoring With Evidence-Based Teaching Strategies, Tasha Jenkins

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Little research has explored the field of science instruction tailored to students with significant disabilities. However, research studies have begun to emerge that suggest, with specific instructional strategies, these students can be successful in learning science curriculum. This project evaluated literature to find evidence-based instructional strategies for teaching science to students with significant cognitive disabilities. Six strategies were consistently found across multiple studies. The six strategies include (1) time delay, (2) systematic instruction, (3) multiple exemplar training, (4) task analysis, (5) graphic organizers, and (6) guided inquiry-based learning. These strategies were shared with a team of nine special education teachers …

Systematic Review Of The Use Of Multiperson Activity Schedules For Individuals With Disabilities, Caili A. Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Multiperson activity schedules capitalize on the benefits of independent activity schedules, a commonly used visual support for individuals with disabilities. Activity schedules minimize the need for adult prompting and increase independence with complex tasks by breaking them down into pictures, written words, or videos. Multiperson schedules allow pairs and small groups of individuals with disabilities to work together with minimal adult involvement to accomplish a task. This systematic review aims to inform researchers and other interested persons regarding the use of multiperson activity schedules to aid in decision-making and support implementation. We screened 146 articles and dissertations against our study …

Teaching Function-Based Assessment And Intervention Skills To Behavior Support Staff Using An Interactive Computer Training, Megan E. Graul

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Behavior support staff (BSS), including paraprofessionals, behavior technicians, and other entry-level school staff that support students with challenging behavior, play an essential role in public education settings, especially in special education classrooms. With the increasing number of students requiring intensive behavioral supports, it is imperative to identify cost-efficient strategies to provide adequate training to expand the behavioral skills of these individuals. For instance, training BSS to implement empirically supported behavioral strategies, such as functional behavior assessment and function-based intervention selection, may have benefits for both staff and students alike. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to develop an interactive …

Paraprofessional Training Materials, Program Implementation & Review, Breann Brewer

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

If ever you enter a special education classroom, you may encounter a few events. You may witness a classroom of impressive, almost automatic interactions, delivered in a way so eloquent that the students and staff seem to be in an effortless dance with one another. Or, you may witness a classroom that feels heavy with needs; needs of more staff, more help, more hands, and more time. This visual exercise demonstrates how the structure of a special education classroom sets the tone for student growth and success.

One pivotal part of a special education classroom is the paraeducators. Paraeducators, also …

Reading Interventions For High School Students With Reading Difficulties, Dixie Poulsen

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Literacy is an important skill necessary for better outcomes in life. There are many high school students that struggle with word reading and comprehension. Some may even graduate without a functional reading level. What can teachers do to make a difference? Are there strategies that can be implemented into classrooms to better help struggling students? It is important to gather the correct information about the students reading abilities. For this professional portfolio, I conducted 5 different reading assessment, to understand the student’s current abilities. With these assessments I could determine where my student struggled the most. The student had difficulty …

Using Telehealth To Teach Caregivers Mand Training Using A Speech Generating Device, Sara Jeppson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Children with ASD often have struggles with social communication and developing a functional vocal output. Alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) can be used in different modes such as speech generating devices (SGDs) to help these individuals develop a vocal output. Caregivers are optimal to aid their children in learning these communication skills. Past studies such as Suberman and Civindini-Motta showed that behavioral skills training (BST) can be effective to teach caregivers communication training using an SGD. The current study aimed to replicate the procedures of Suberman and Civindini-Motta but extended it by adapting the procedures described using telehealth.

Evaluating Implementer Preference For And Correspondence Between Structured Descriptive Analysis And Trial Based Functional Analysis, Kacy Rodamaker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Determining the function of maladaptive behavior aides in the creation of effective intervention measures to change that behavior. Three assessments that are used to determine behavioral function include the trial based functional analysis (TBFA), structured descriptive analysis (SDA), and antecedent-behavior-consequence (ABC) recording. In the present study, we compared the time it took to conduct each of these assessments as well as the similarity between the functions identified by each assessment. Additionally, we compared procedural acceptability and implementer preference between the SDA and TBFA by collecting survey results from a staff participant who implemented the two measures with the support of …

Effect Of Delay On Reinforcer Preference As Measured By A Paired Stimulus Preference Assessment, Emma Preston

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Behavior interventions often utilize rewards to increase appropriate behavior. Current methods for identifying potential rewards only use immediately available items, however rewards in school or clinic settings are often delayed due to circumstance. Delay can decrease the value of a preferred stimuli. We propose and evaluate a method for considering delay to delivery of a preferred item when selecting a potential reward by asking children 8-11 to pick between a moderately preferred item immediately available or a highly preferred item that was delayed. 4 out of 5 participants increased selection for the moderately preferred item as delays to the highly …

Empowering All Students To Participate: Utilizing Aac To Respond During Lessons, Robbie Cromwell

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

Previous research indicates that frequent and active participation of all students (including diverse student groups) improves student outcomes, as does using a variety of methods to respond during classroom instruction. Current research is limited in examining two key areas: 1) Increasing active participation of AAC users by encouraging engagement through frequent response opportunities during instruction and 2) Utilizing a variety of response methods to enable participation during instruction. Given the gaps that exist in the research, the purpose of this study is to examine whether incorporating a variety of opportunities to respond has an impact on AAC user’s engagement and …