Enrollment rates of students with disabilities (SWD) in postsecondary education continue to rise, yet SWD continue to face challenges with persistence toward degree completion. Executive function deficits (e.g., difficulty concentrating, managing time, problem solving, or planning) often impact academic, social, and occupational function. Academic…

Executive function is an umbrella term involving working memory, planning, organization, social inhibition, self-regulation, and cognitive flexibility. It is an area where many students with disabilities struggle. This column describes practical ways to enhance executive functioning in students with disabilities using the universal design for…

During life transitions, individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face unique challenges. When navigating the transition from high school to higher education, individuals with ASD confront increased vulnerability in social situations, decreased likelihood of program completion, and increased risk of mental health problems. To help these…

Students with disabilities comprise a large and growing fraction of college students; however, many instructors lack the training and knowledge to support them. In this paper, we discuss the impact of professional development about executive function disorders and Universal Design for Learning for an introductory physics instructor (second author)…

Deficits in executive functions can lead to many difficulties for students with disabilities. Research has shown a strong correlation between deficits in executive functions and deficits in academic performance and social-emotional functioning. With state testing requirements, response to intervention (RTI), and positive behavior interventions and…

This paper reports on a framework of thinking, memory and learning that emerged from a qualitative research study into the nature of learning for individuals with autism. The framework is useful for professional development of teachers regarding the learning characteristics of neurodiverse students with autism spectrum disorder. The paper provides…

Walk into most Catholic schools (pre- and post COVID-19) these days and they look very similar to the Catholic schools from 50 years ago. The tradition, the familiarity, and the similarity are comforting and classic. However, in the past 50 years a revolution has happened in education. Educational research across many domains has revealed ways to…

Studying English is challenging and, for many learners, undiagnosed learning disabilities can present a serious threat to their success. Recent studies indicate that up to 10% of the world population has a non-apparent disability, such as autism or dyslexia. At the same time, few English language learner (ELL) instructors in higher education have…

Students with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HASD) have specific challenges that can impede their successful transition from high school to college. The unique expertise of school counselors put them in an ideal position to assist these students with this process. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the social,…

This protocol guides the What Works Clearinghouse's (WWC) systematic reviews of evidence relating to college and career readiness for secondary school students in grades 6-12. Reviewers conducting the systematic review should use this protocol in conjunction with version 4.1 of the WWC Standards and Procedures Handbooks and the corresponding Study…

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is not a new concept. Still, the press, the worry, and the hype around the potential benefits and limitations of the explosion of these tools in this field is a current topic in teacher education. In this article, the authors summarize the past use of AI, present easily adaptable tools in teacher education,…

Spina bifida (SB) refers to a subgroup of congenital defects where the neural tube fails to fuse, often resulting in a protruding spinal cord. This is often due to a defect or absence of vertebral arches resulting from a failure of the mesoderm to organize over the region of the defect. SB occurs during gestation between the third and sixth week…

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects executive function and attention. Many children display ADHD-like symptoms. However, diagnosis requires at least six symptoms that interfere significantly with a child's life for a period of time. School and home can be greatly influenced by executive function deficits that characterize the…

The purpose of this article is to present inclusionary practices for Catholic education classrooms that emphasize the integration of evidence-based practices (EBPs). These are practices that have been developed to address the needs of all students, particularly learners who are considered at-risk as well as their peers with an identified…

Prenatal exposure to alcohol causes a pattern of brain-based deficits and is associated with behavioral challenges (Wozniak et al., 2019). Understanding the neurocognitive behaviors common among individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) can increase teachers' effectiveness (Tremblay et al., 2017). Environmental changes, such as…