Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Understanding Lactation Consultants' Evaluation Of Oral Mechanism Function And Dysphagia In Nursing Neonates, Elizabeth Louise Howard

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Infants with dysphagia are at increased risk for poor health and nutritional outcomes (Arvedson, 2008) if improperly diagnosed or managed. Communication between multidisciplinary team members is imperative for transition from screening to intervention. An overlap in scope of practice may exist between lactation consultants (LCs) and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). In order to facilitate multidisciplinary understanding and communication, this study was designed to understand how LCs evaluate oral mechanism function and dysphagia in breastfeeding neonates as well as their understanding of the role of SLPs in the management of dysphagia in neonates through a comparative multi-case, summative qualitative study. Participants described …

Special Education Teacher Persistence, Sally A. Thorp

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The focus of this study was special education teachers, who remained in the teaching field 5 or more years. Through the use of qualitative mixed-methods study, variables contributing to their longevity were explored. Research indicates that 50% of special education teachers leave the field within five years of employment (Alliance for Education, 2004). For the study, 22 teachers from different school districts, as well as different geographical parts of the U.S., were interviewed. One man and 21 women, all with more than five years of experience were interviewed. Data obtained from these interviews was organized into six themes. Themes identified …

Dyscalculia: Characteristics, Causes, And Treatments, Gavin R. Price, Daniel Ansari

Numeracy

Developmental Dyscalculia (DD) is a learning disorder affecting the ability to acquire school-level arithmetic skills, affecting approximately 3-6% of individuals. Progress in understanding the root causes of DD and how best to treat it have been impeded by lack of widespread research and variation in characterizations of the disorder across studies. However, recent years have witnessed significant growth in the field, and a growing body of behavioral and neuroimaging evidence now points to an underlying deficit in the representation and processing of numerical magnitude information as a potential core deficit in DD. An additional product of the recent progress in …

The Impact Of Audio Books On Middle School Students With A Mild Intellectual Disability, Justin Schanck, Milkia Waller

The Corinthian

The purpose of this research is to determine what types of interventions improve the basic reading skills of children diagnosed with a mild intellectual disability, which is defined as having an IQ score of 70 or below. Often these students struggle to keep up with the academic rigor in the middle and high school setting. They lack the basic reading skills necessary to complete coursework and pass their end-of-course tests, which often leads to them dropping out of school. This study is a start to seeing if specific interventions have the capabilities to improve basic reading skills for students with …

Case 7: Frankston Special Development School, Michelle Anderson, Leanne Eames

Tender Bridge

Frankston Special Developmental School provides a specialised and challenging curriculum in a supportive environment for students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities whose ages range from five to eighteen years. Individual education programs are delivered by trained special education staff, including a speech therapist, an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist. Students also have access to extracurricular programs. The 120 students who attend live within a 20-kilometre radius of the school. The School has been a subscriber of Tender Bridge since 2010, but did not really make use of the subscription in the first year. But that all changed when the …

The Quality And Effects Of Secondary Transition Plans On Special Education Graduates' Postsecondary Outcomes And Their Effects On Secondary Transition, Vickie Miller

Education Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the study was to determine whether or not the implementation of special education graduates' secondary transition plans by a team of supporters such as teachers, parents, administrators, and postsecondary mentors were well-constructed and in alignment with the graduates' high school curriculum and intended postsecondary goals, as well as whether the supporters followed through with helping the graduates achieve those postsecondary goals. The study also examined whether a loop existed between linking the secondary transition plans (indicator 13) to the postsecondary outcomes (indicator 14) and the feedback from the postsecondary outcomes back to the transition plans.

Under the …

The Mathematical Development In Number And Operation Of Struggling First Graders, John Lannin, Delinda Van Garderen, Matthew J. Switzer, Kelley E. Buchheister, Tiffany Hill, Christa Jackson

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

Number and operations serve as the “cornerstone” of the K-12 mathematics curriculum in many countries. Solving problems in the mathematical domains of algebra, geometry, measurement, and statistics is often closely connected to student knowledge of number and operation (Griffin, 2005). Although considerable knowledge exists regarding the development of number and operation for typically developing children, less is known about the development of children who struggle in mathematics. Moreover, children enter school with considerable differences in their understanding of number and operation. While most children, through exposure to various informal and formal tasks, develop a deeper understanding of number and operation, …

Measurement Properties Of The Motivation For Youth Treatment Scale With A Residential Group Home Population, Matthew C. Lambert, Kristin Duppong-Hurley, M. Michele Athay Tomlinson, Amy L. Stevens

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

A client’s motivation to receive services has long been identified as a highly relevant component of mental health treatment. In fact, ample evidence demonstrates that client motivation is significantly related to seeking services, remaining in services, and improved client outcomes (e.g., Broome, Joe, & Simpson, 2001; Ryan, Plant, & O’Malley, 1995; Schroder, Sellman, Frampton, & Deering, 2009). Additionally, it has been recognized that motivation is a “dynamic” characteristic that changes throughout treatment (Melnick, De Leon, Hawke, Jainchill, & Kressel, 1997; Schroder et al., 2009). In this way, motivation is an important client factor to assess and monitor throughout the treatment …

A Review Of Choice And Preference Assessments To Increase Academic Attainment For Autism Spectrum Disorders, Jamie Emery, Janet L. Applin, Marty Boman

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

Many schools use choice and preference assessments to decrease and/or increase behaviors of students with disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorders or ASD. Although there exists scant evidence from the literature exploring the relationship between utilizing choice and preference assessments as a tool to increase academic achievement, the Council for Exceptional Children’s (CEC ) “ Initial Level Special Educator Preparation Standards” require beginning special education professionals to, “select, adapt, and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance learning of individuals with exceptionalities,” (CEC, 2012). To contribute to the knowledge base regarding using choice and preference assessment as a …

Bibliotherapy And Autism Spectrum Disorder: Making Inclusion Work, Nancy D. Turner

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

As the incidence of autism spectrum disorder increases and as the emphasis on inclusion for students with autism continues in schools, it is critical that professionals, parents, and community members work to provide consistent evidence-based practices across settings. Based upon research conducted through the National Professional Development Center on Autism (2009), there are twenty-four evidence-based practices for students with autism. One important practice for inclusive classrooms is that of Peer Mediated Instruction and Intervention (PMII). With the goal to increase quality interaction between individuals with and without disabilities, an initial step of PMII is to familiarize neurotypical peers with age-appropriate …

Welcome, Patricia R. Renick Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Welcome to the Spring/Summer 2013 Edition of The Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education. This edition is small but has two excellent research articles.

Dr. Stanard, Dr. Ringlaben, and Dr. Griffith describe secondary teachers’ knowledge of Response to Intervention (RTI). RTI is a new government mandate to identify and intervene with students who have learning disabilities. Their article provides some rich insight into the response of secondary teachers.

Dr. Potmesilova, Dr. Potmesil, Dr. Roubalova from the Czech Republic describe supervision as a prevention and support to teachers in inclusive setting. Their research focuses on sentiments, attitudes and concerns of educators working …

Supervision As A Prevention And Support To Teachers In Inclusive Education, Petra Potmesilova, Milon Potmesil, Marcela Fojtikova Roubalova

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The presented research was focused on the field of sentiments, attitudes and concerns of educators potentially working with pupils with impairment under inclusive settings.

This study was aimed at discovering whether the above stated parameters change after achieving qualification in special needs education. The results of research encompassing a period of two years aimed at describing a group of 794 educators from the point of view of the development of their attitudes, opinions and concerns while being focused on the process of inclusion. In accordance with the obtained results, supervision as a special psychological support is badly needed.

Increasing Disability Awareness Through Comics Literature, Ewa Mcgrail, Alicja Rieger

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

When faced with negative attitudes and experiences in communication and interaction in general education classrooms, students with disabilities can exhibit high levels of stress and frustration or even depression, low self-esteem and impaired self-acceptance. These undesirable and destructive feelings, in turn, may affect these students’ social and cognitive development skills and well-being, as well as their academic performance in such environments. The recent scholarship on empathy supports the effectiveness of comics for identifying and fighting negative and stereotypical attitudes towards those with disabilities. This article discusses strategies for educating students about disability and disability issues with the help of comics …

Basic Fba To Bsp Trainer’S Manual, Sheldon Loman, M. Kathleen Strickland-Cohen, Christopher Borgmeier, Robert Horner

Special Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

This manual presents procedures to train school-based personnel to conduct "basic" functional behavioral assessments (FBA) and design function-based behavior support plans (BSP). "Basic FBA/BSP" training methods, as they are presented in this manual, are designed to train school based personnel with flexible roles in a school (i.e. personnel not directly responsible for providing regular instruction for students; e.g., classroom teachers). The Basic FBA/BSP training methods are specifically designed for use with students that exhibit consistent problems that are NOT dangerous and have not been adequately addressed through previous assessment and intervention. For example, Basic FBA methods would be appropriate for …

Educating Students With Learning Disabilities In Inclusive Classrooms, Jeremy Ford

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

There is great debate over including students with disabilities, in particular students with learning disabilities, in inclusive classrooms. Several strategies are available to support educating students with learning disabilities in inclusive classrooms including: co-teaching, differentiated instruction, and peer-mediated instruction and interventions. Theory suggests the practice of inclusion is congruent with social justice, but evidence suggests mixed results regarding academic achievement typically occur. However, results of providing separate pullout instructional services are not necessarily more likely to achieve desired results. Therefore, educators will need to make placement decisions considering the resources available in their school, in addition to the skill level …

Portfolio Assessment: Practices In Special Education Teacher Education, Amy Rosenstein, Adelle Renzaglia

Faculty Research and Creative Activity

Reform in teacher education has made teacher education preparation programs re-examine their current practices and makes changes in the assessment and instruction of teacher candidates. In the search for more authentic assessments of teacher candidate knowledge and abilities, portfolios have been offered as a viable option. After more than 20 years of portfolio use in teacher preparation programs, there is little empirical information on portfolio assessment use across special education teacher candidate preparation programs. The purpose of this study was to examine, using quantitative and qualitative methods, the practices, satisfaction, and issues associated with portfolio use across multiple institutions that …

Heroes: Creating Classroom Environments, Presentations, And Activities That Positively Affect Student Motivation, Inclusion, And Retention, Virginia Heslinga

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

To help students of diverse needs learn, retain what they learn, collaborate in problem-solving, see value with inclusion, and grow in a desire to learn, teachers need to create environments conducive to active learning and filled with hope. Environments emerge from the time a student stands in the doorway of a classroom and continue through every element on display and encountered in interactions. Educators who understand they affect the environment will set the tone, present inclusively, provide meaningful activities, and do a heroic job of leading students. This article presents heroes with classic values in schools and communities through the …

Inclusive Education: Perceptions Of Parents Of Children With Special Needs Of The Individual Program Planning Process, Michael D. Mackichan, Mary J. Harkins

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

In inclusive education, students with special needs may access the curriculum through adapted or individualistic plans. Parental involvement in developing the individualistic plans is pertinent to the success of both their children’s education and the plan itself. Research from the United States offers insight into how parents perceive the process of developing individualist plans; however, limited research has been conducted with parents of children with special needs in Canada. This current study examines parental perceptions concerning the Individual Program Planning (IPP) process in Nova Scotia, Canada. Eight parents were interviewed using a guided interview format that consisted of 16 questions …

Welcome, Patricia R. Renick

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Welcome to the Fall/Winter 2013 Edition of The Electronic Journal For Inclusive Education. This edition promises an array of interesting research into inclusive education.

Dr. Madan and Dr. Sharma from Azim Prmji University and the University of Delhi discuss the newly accepted inclusive movement in India. Their focus is on individual elementary school efforts to implement inclusion at its very beginning efforts to include children with special needs.

Mr. MacKichan of the Strait Regional School and Dr. Mary Harkins of Mount Saint Vincent University in Nova Scotia, Canada provide insight into parent involvement in the development of individual educational plans …

What Was That Again, Congenital Disorder Of Glycosylation?, Janelle Roberts

Undergraduate Review

New technology and research are continuously changing our understanding of the human body, and newly emerging diseases are continuously being discovered, such as Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation (CDG). This disease creates challenges for Special Education teachers and others who work with children affected by CDG. The purpose of this project was to increase Special Education teachers’ understanding of the rare congenital disease CDG. Specifically, this project examined the augmentative communication strategies used with persons with CDG who are nonspeaking. There are approximately 1,000 diagnosed cases of CDG worldwide, and these figures are low estimates given that CDG presents like many …

Supporting Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders In Inclusive Settings: Rethinking Instruction And Design, Christopher B. Denning, Amelia K. Moody

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The prevalence rate of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has grown more than ten-fold in the past two decades and is now estimated at about 1 in 88 children. These prevalence rates place increased demands on teachers to address core features and highlight the need for targeted supports. In addition, children with ASD are increasingly served in general education classrooms and teachers may not be prepared to meet their needs. Research-based supports can be used with an entire classroom within a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework in order to the needs of students with ASD in inclusive settings. …

Design Strategy For The Development Of Applications For Autism Instruction, Nancy Jean Rasche

Open Access Theses

This paper explains my journey of exploration into the development of a mobile application for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) based on researching an area of instructional need. The direction spread to creating a tool to encourage collaboration between designers and educators to generate more mobile application educational opportunities for children with ASD. These two paths of development of touch screen mobile computer (TSMC) applications are explored in this paper. The first path of application development, based on a researched instructional need into improving the comprehension skills of children with ASD by teaching the emergent literacy skill of vocabulary …

Juvenile Probation Officers' Perspectives Of The Special Education Process, Lauren Trainer

Theses and Graduate Projects

This qualitative research study examined juvenile probation officers' perspectives of special education. Juvenile probation officers who work with youth who receive special education services agreed to participate in this study to help the researcher learn more about how they view special education. Since the two professional groups (juvenile probation officers and special education teachers) often work with the same demographic, learning more about their perspectives can help improve their working relationships. However, even more importantly, the services youth receive may also be improved through gaining a better understanding of others' perspectives. A combination of formal interview questions and observations were …

Participation In High School Sports By Setting Iv Students With Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (Ebd), Jennifer S. Nerison

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study analyzes the link between students with emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD) and their participation in sports while attending high school. Young men and women who participate in sports are positively linked in a reduction of delinquent behaviors and show an increase of making positive choices and receiving/earning good grades. Sports can instill confidence in a child, and he/she can learn to excel at something they enjoy doing and could raise this confidence participating in a sport. This is an opportunity to overcome struggles a child may be having emotionally and socially. (Ireland, 2011) Adolescents who are a part …

The Retention Of Special Education Teachers: What Makes Special Education Teachers Stay Teaching Longer Than 10 Years?, Debra June Goodman

Theses and Graduate Projects

This is qualitative action research project shows how a group of teachers was able to stay in the field of special education for more than 10 years, and in some cases, even retire from this area of education. It examines reasons why and how these teachers were able to teach for so many consecutive years: In it for the kids, First career, Administration, and Good co-workers.

Experiences Of Students With Special Needs In Public Achievement, Alissa Blood-Knafla

Theses and Graduate Projects

The outlook for students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities is not a hopeful one. In schools these students are often separated from their peers and miss out on many opportunities to engage in unique experiences because of their behavior. Public Achievement can provide these students with an opportunity to engage in real-world experiences and positively impact issues that matter to them. This opportunity can impact how students view themselves, their behavior and their abilities. This research presents the student perspective on Public Achievement. Findings show that students view Public Achievement as having a positive impact on their lives in and …

The Impact Of Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder Medication On Academic Achievement, Diana Carter

Theses and Graduate Projects

This purpose of this study was to determine if the use of stimulant medication has an effect on academic success at the elementary school age. Participants in the study included 4th and 5ft grade children who have been diagnosis with Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Groups 1 consisted of three children diagnosed with ADHD and were taking a stimulant medication. Group 2 consisted of three children diagnosed with ADHD and did not take any medication of any kind. Information was gathered from the teachers and students during one-on-one interviews; data was compiled and analyzed to identify common themes. Two themes …

Exploring The Utilization Of Applications As A Form Of Augmentative And Alternative Communication By Speech-Language Pathologists, Joselyn Rae Gilbert

Online Theses and Dissertations

This pilot study consisted of two main purposes: 1) to examine whether SLPs who are already using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in therapy are using apps as a form of AAC, and within what parameters, and 2) to explore possible reasons SLPs are using apps as AAC, and possible sources for their clinical decision making using AAC apps. A nationwide survey was sent out to speech-language pathologists who were members of four ASHA Special Interest Groups. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data gathered from the survey. Results from this study suggested some SLPs use apps as a form …

Using Text-To-Speech Reading Support For An Adult With Mild Aphasia And Cognitive Impairment, Judy Harvey, Karen Hux, Jeffry Snell

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

This single case study served to examine text-to-speech (TTS) effects on reading rate and comprehension in an individual with mild aphasia and cognitive impairment. Findings showed faster reading, given TTS presented at a normal speaking rate, but no significant comprehension changes. TTS may support reading in people with aphasia when time limitations exist.

Inclusive Education For Children With Disabilities: Preparing Schools To Meet The Challenge, Ankur Madan, Neerja Sharma

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

It is now widely acknowledged that to achieve the goal of universal education in India and in order to fulfill provisions laid out in the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 ( Ministry of Human Resource Development, 2009) the education of children with disabilities cannot be put on the back burner. Inclusion or the education of children with disabilities in regular classrooms must be adopted both as an ideology and as a practical solution to support the Education for All adage, and to bring about equity in education in India. In this context, this paper …