Disability Studies Commons^™

I, Too, Sing Neurodiversity, Morénike Giwa Onaiwu

Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture

The neurodiversity community was envisioned as an inclusive and welcoming space for individuals with neurological conditions such as ADHD, autism, Tourette’s Syndrome, giftedness, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, intellectual disability, NVLD and related diagnoses. The underlying premise of neurodiversity is that people present with various neurological differences and there is value in acknowledging and accepting these differences. Despite efforts made over the past few decades, a growing number of individuals within the neurodiversity community, including people of color, have called for intersectional concepts to be more intentionally and more effectively interwoven into neurodiversity as a whole. Referencing “I, Too,” a decades-old poem …

Lemonade Stand: An Original Theatre For Young Audiences Play For Neurodiverse Children, Kate Tayler

Honors Projects

Lemonade Stand is an original play a Theatre For Young Audiences-style play written with accessibility in mind for neurodiverse children, especially with ADHD and autism.

The Problem With The School System, Julianna Vanvalin

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

From the beginning of America, schools have existed in some shape or form. However, once the school system became standardized its failings started to show through. The modern school system is discriminatory against disabled students and students of a low socioeconomic status. It also does not properly prepare students for their future, and promotes poor mental health. In order to fix the school system, it is important to recognize the current failings in regards to students and aim to improve them.

Valuing Lived Experience In Academic Spaces, Jules Csillag

Social Justice Week

Academic spaces (K–12 or higher education) often place a great value on supposedly evidence-based practices, but this ignores the fact that traditional research doesn’t always reflect the priorities nor the realities of the populations they’re supposedly supporting. This results in the perpetuation of harmful practices that are directly or indirectly caused by racism, ableism, classism, queer- and trans-antagonism, monodialectalism/monolingualism, etc. In everything from accommodations statements to who appears in your syllabi or curricula (and more importantly- who’s notably missing), educators at all levels have a responsibility to listen to people with relevant lived experience, and legitimize that expertise.

This engaging …

The Effect Of High School Disability-Based Peer Mentoring On Perspectives Toward People With Disabilities, Caroline Jacobs

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Negative perspectives towards people with disabilities have been shown to lead to discrimination, prejudice, and an overall decreased quality of life. One way to possibly improve attitudes and interactions with students with disabilities could be implementing peer mentoring programs for special education students in high school. Research presented in this thesis examines the difference in perspectives toward people with disabilities between people who have or have not participated as a mentor in a disability-based peer mentoring program in high school. Data were collected through an online survey that assessed peer mentoring experiences as well as a scale to measure comfort …

One Step At A Time: A Case Study Of Incorporating Universal Design For Learning In Library Instruction, Samantha H. Peter, Kristina A. Clement

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Innovative Pedagogy (2018-2020 archives)

This paper introduces the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), an inclusive pedagogical principle that works to make instruction accessible for all by incorporating different needs of learners into instructional design. This article provides a brief analysis of the literature on UDL within the field of academic libraries and focuses specifically on library instruction. The paper then concludes with a comprehensive case study of the authors’ journey to actively incorporate UDL into their information literacy instruction sessions over a two-semester period, including lessons learned throughout their process.

Star Performances: Ed Roberts On The Speaking Circuit, 1983-1995, Scot Danforth

Education Faculty Articles and Research

This article uses historical research methods to explore noted disability rights leader Ed Roberts' performances on the speaker circuit between 1983, when he left his position as director of the California Department of Rehabilitation, and his death in 1995. This article examines how he managed his performed identity, his self as presented on stage, in order to be a disability star. Using his own life story as a poignant example, he narrated an autobiography of how a paralyzed man could live a vigorous, successful, indeed a joyful life. His personal stories communicated his lived experiences of battling discrimination and stereotypes. …

Developing Employment Environments Where Individuals With Asd Thrive: Using Machine Learning To Explore Employer Policies And Practices, Amy Jane Griffiths, Amy E. Hurley Hanson, Cristina M. Giannantonio, Sneha Kohli Mathur, Kayleigh Hyde, Erik Linstead

Education Faculty Articles and Research

An online survey instrument was developed to assess employers’ perspectives on hiring job candidates with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The investigators used K-means clustering to categorize companies in clusters based on their hiring practices related to individuals with ASD. This methodology allowed the investigators to assess and compare the various factors of businesses that successfully hire employees with ASD versus those that do not. The cluster analysis indicated that company structures, policies and practices, and perceptions, as well as the needs of employers and employees, were important in determining who would successfully hire individuals with ASD. Key areas that require …

Misuse Of Social Behavior In Down Syndrome: Caregiver Conducted Functional Analysis, Sally M. Izquierdo

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Young children with Down syndrome often engage in charming non-contextual social behaviors. The developmental literature suggests that non-contextual social behaviors may function to escape from difficult activities to preferred social interactions. Caregivers may reinforce the behavior, perceiving it as evidence of the child’s social strength, when in fact, the pattern of behavior may also contribute to missed learning opportunities and a developmental gap between children with Down syndrome and their typically developing peers. We investigated the pattern by subjecting it for the first time to functional analyses. We identified non-contextual social behavior, confirmed function(s) of escape to attention, and compared …

What Do Nci Data Tell Us About The Characteristics And Outcomes Of Older Adults With Idd?, Valerie J. Bradley, Dorothy Hiersteiner, Henan Li, Alexandra Bonardi, Laura Vegas

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

The number of older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is growing and will continue to expand as the baby boom generation moves into older adulthood. This descriptive analysis provides information on the characteristics and outcomes of a subsample of individuals with IDD aged 55 and over in the 2018-2019 National Core Indicators In Person Survey. Selected findings are compared to characteristics of the general population as measured by the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Findings suggest the older adults with IDD are more isolated, have smaller social networks than their younger peers, and have less access to transportation …

Cognitive Disability And Postsecondary Education: A National Study On Earnings, John M. Andresen, Derek Nord

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Postsecondary education provides an opportunity to increase the economic potential of individuals. Earnings for individuals with cognitive disabilities are a major concern, as occupational outcomes are often dire. The prevalence of individuals with cognitive disabilities in postsecondary education settings is increasing, but little is known about how postsecondary attendance may relate to post-graduation earnings for this population. This article presents findings from the 2017 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey on the prevalence of individuals with cognitive disabilities who have attended various levels of postsecondary education and a series of linear regressions identifies the relationship between varying degrees and earnings …

The Origins Of University Centers On Developmental Disabilities: Early Expectations And Legislation, Bryce Fifield, Marvin G. Fifield

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

This article describes the evolution and early expectations of university-based programs to serve people with disabilities. I describe the how the committee that President John F. Kennedy created to make recommendations about how to better serve people with mental retardation suggested university-based programs that would improve the science and provide training to professionals who work with this community. I describe the early legislation and program decisions that were made by stakeholders that created the first generation of University Affiliated Facilities and Programs to serve people with disabilities.

Employment First In A Time Of Pandemic, Julie J. Christensen Phd, Msw

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Opening Editorial: The Origin And Aims Of The Developmental Disabilities Network Journal, Matthew Wappett

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

In this article, I share my experience of going to school and noticing different groups of students. I noticed that students with disabilities were treated differently, but I didn't understand why. Throughout history, people with disabilities have often been treated differently. For hundreds of years, people with disabilities did not live with their families or in their communities. People with disabilities were often forced to live in institutions or workhouses. Institutions were not good places; they were dangerous, unclean, and isolated. People with disabilities were not allowed to live the life they wanted. In the 1960s, many advocates wanted to …

Cover And Acknowledgements, Matthew Wappett

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Using Video Modeling To Teach Staff How To Implement Preference Assessments, Megan Weaver

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

Identification of reinforcers through preference assessments for individuals with disabilities is an important task because it increases the probability of skill development, including academic tasks, self-help skills, social skills, and behavior modification. Teachers of students with disabilities often experience problems with training paraprofessionals to implement preference assessments using written instructions alone. In this study, researchers will investigate whether video modeling will be more effective than written instruction to staff to implement preference assessments. Participants will include three to five paraprofessionals in a classroom setting with no previous behavior analysis training on preference assessments and three to five students in a …

The Use Of Speech-Generating Devices For Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jessica Miller

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The first of the following articles provides a review of the literature related to vocalizations among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, with special attention paid to speech-generating devices (SGD). After providing an overview of ASD, evidence-based practices (EBP), and AAC types and a brief history, this review evaluates studies that collected data on vocalizations in SGD-users, including both those that targeted vocalizations as a dependent variable and those that measured vocalizations as a collateral effect without directly targeting it. The goal of this review is to evaluate whether SGD use may …

Autistic Representation In Charter Schools: A First-Hand Experience Within A Michigan Charter, Morgan Selke

Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture

Since the 1990s, Michigan has had an overabundance of charter schools established within the state. In hopes that it would urge public school districts to improve. Michigan has become the state with the second-highest amount of charter schools in the nation (Zernike, 2016). There have been many controversial issues that surround the inclusion of charter schools in the public education sector. One issue that I wanted to explore more was the underrepresentation of autistic students and students with special needs in these schools--focusing on the resources and support available to these students. This article showcases my experience teaching, as a …

Connecting To The Self: Increasing Self-Awareness In Children With Asd, Development Of A Method, Madison Janke

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Dance/movement therapy is a popular method utilized with the autism spectrum population due to its focus on increasing social skills, developing relationships, improving function, increasing positive body image, and expanding movement repertoire. The literature indicated that mirroring is the most common and most utilized DMT intervention for this population, but it provided minimal alternative dance/movement therapy interventions. The dance/movement therapy method implemented through this research attempted to provide an alternative to mirroring through the creation of a body outline. This method was developed through the theoretical framework of relational-cultural theory, emphasizing the impact that relationships can have on the shaping …

Parental Perceptions Of Water Safety Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Amanda Casey Ph.D., Jennifer Blok, Katherine Vaughan, William O'Dwyer

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are twice as likely to die from unintentional drowning compared to same-age children without ASD emphasizing the importance of water-safety skills and knowledge. Yet little research has been published on perceptions of water safety for this population. The objective of the study was to investigate parental perceptions of water safety amongst children with ASD. An online questionnaire focusing on parental perceptions of water safety was distributed to parents of children with ASD associated with autism support groups across Canada. Forty-nine parents completed the self-report questionnaire with items related to demographics, swimming proficiency and lessons, …

The Academic Success And Beyond-Academic Wellbeing Of High Functioning Autistic Boys: A Policy-Professional Care-School-Parent Ecological Perspective, Evelyn Sauceda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

High Functioning Autistic (HFA) boys have significant social, emotional, and cognitive difficulties and unique cognitive abilities that require special support from stakeholders in their ecology (policy makers, care providers, schools, and parents). The quality of such support and its ecological integration are of poor quality. The purpose of this study was to report on the perceptions of parents of HFA boys about their children’s academic and beyond-academic experiences as understood within a policy-care provider-school-parent ecological framework. This study contributes to the limited ecological literature on the topic. This exploratory, qualitative, phenomenological, non-experimental, and cross-sectional research study used a non-probability, purposive, …

More Seats At The Table: An Examination Of The Role Of Natural Supports In Promoting Postsecondary Transition For Students With Disabilities In Rural Maine, Elizabeth Stone-Sterling

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Students with disabilities who receive special education services are entitled under federal law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, to have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that includes measurable postsecondary goals and identifies the transition services that are needed in order for the student to reach those goals. Transition planning for students with disabilities in rural areas can be uniquely challenging due to lack of access to transportation, service providers, and accessible programs. Failure to prepare for postsecondary education or employment is correlated with life-long challenges, including poverty, un/under-employment, and limited educational attainment. Natural supports, in the form of family …

An Exploration Of Faculty With Disabilities In Social Work Programs, Kelly Dundon

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Disability is a unique dimension of diversity, yet structural, social and attitudinal barriers can make meaningful workforce participation difficult for individuals with disabilities. Faculty with disabilities (FWD) are a particularly underrepresented population in academia, and even more so in social work programs. Based on this under-representation and a concern for the lack of attention this population has received, this project will explore a subset of this group. This thesis will focus on faculty with disabilities, first by looking into the scant research pertaining to FWD, then presenting the data from a qualitative study and demographic survey. Implications for policy, practice …

Stigma And Disclosure Of Chronic Pain In Higher Education: A Qualitative Study, Jennifer K. Davenport

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Students with chronic pain represent an overlooked population in higher education institutions, due to the barriers their conditions present and the stigma associated with chronic pain. There is existing research examines treatment of elderly populations and best practices for university students with disabilities, facing discrimination. This study sheds light on a gap in the existing research, where a niche population of students in chronic pain navigated disclosure issues and stigma in the academic environment. The purpose of the qualitative research study was to examine how anticipated or experienced stigma associated with chronic pain conditions influenced disclosure of chronic pain for …

Adhd: A Personal Struggle, Julianna Vanvalin

KUCC -- Kutztown University Composition Conference

This paper attempts to show my struggles with ADHD and how not receiving proper care can hinder someone.

Occupational Therapy's Role In Adapting Residential Youth Camps For Increased Inclusion, Brittany Tate

Student Capstone Papers

Each year, summer camps serve more than 11 million youth in the United States (US) (Wilson, Sibthorp, & Brusseau, 2017). Summer camps provide children with new experiences and give them opportunities to build confidence, social skills, and peer relationships (Wilson et al., 2017). Occupational therapy (OT) is an emerging area of practice throughout summer camps in the US (Hanscom & Schoen, 2014). Hanscom and Schoen (2014) recommend strategically combining OT with traditional camp programming to create an emotionally, physically, and spiritually safe environment that promotes optimal attending and task follow through. Summer camp has been shown to enhance positive youth …

Factors That Influence The Success In Higher Education For Students With Autism, Elizabeth O. Gardner

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine factors that influence the success in college for students with autism. To meet this purpose, four upperclassmen college students with ASD were recruited for semi-structured interviews on their college experience. The interviews were transcribed and coded which led to the uncovering of three categories and three themes. The data from this study suggest that success in college for students with autism is influenced by an integration of multiple factors working together which include personal, macro educational, and micro educational. Many general themes uncovered in this study were mirrored by the current literature …

Identity And Advocacy: The Missing Components In Promoting Social-Emotional Health And Self-Regulation For Multiply Marginalized Girls, Jovonne Tabb, Temple S. Lovelace, Mary Comis, Olajumoke Oshokoya

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Girlhood has been a topic of great interest in the last decade. As individuals have examined the lack of girls in STEM or the increase of bullying in girls, there has been a push to understanding the differential experiences along gender-based lines. In this study, the researchers highlight the results of the successful implementation of a group-based curriculum that utilized identity and advocacy as critical components in a treatment package focused on self-regulation. Using a pretest-posttest design, the researchers found a statistically significant difference in several key areas that are of key importance when supporting the needs of adolescent girls. …

General Education Teachers’ Perspectives On The Effectiveness Of Dyslexia Identification And The Potential Use Of Teacher Administered Screening Tests, Emily Ewry

Honors Projects

Dyslexia is a learning disorder with symptoms that greatly impact students in educational settings and these impacts can extend beyond the walls of school into everyday life. Progress has been made to identify and accommodate more students with dyslexia, but students still are diagnosed late into their schooling or go undiagnosed. To evaluate this problem, this study was designed to turn to general education teachers in Ohio with a survey. The survey looks at general education teachers’ knowledge on dyslexia and the dyslexia identification process, the impact undiagnosed dyslexia may or may not have in the classroom, and the teachers’ …

La Discapacidad En Valparaíso: La Existencia De Un (¿Nuevo?) Movimiento Social, Julia Conti

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This study examines disability in Chile as a possible new social movement, seeking to answer the question of whether a movement for disability rights exists and if so, what form it takes. Disability has historically been seen as an imperfection, an impairment, and something to cure if at all possible, but beginning in the mid-twentieth century, groups of disabled people have advocated for a changing perception of their own abilities, their place in society, and how society itself contributes to the disabling of people. Alongside this burgeoning movement, scholarship emerged that reconceptualized disability and proposed new models for understanding the …