Background: Research and theoretical models of self-determination and self-concept claim that microsystem ecological factors have an influence and manifest a predictive role in the relationship between self-concept and self-determination. Knowing the mechanisms through which personal and contextual factors influence or predict the self-determined…

This study used longitudinal special education record data from a large urban southwestern U.S. school district to review classroom placements of students in Grades 5 to 9 educated in traditional public schools (N = 21,314). Results indicated that half of the students were educated primarily in general education classrooms (n = 10,658), 9% of…

The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 highlights the need for special education and related personnel to prepare youth with disabilities for adulthood, particularly in the areas of postsecondary education, employment, and independent living. In accordance with this policy, our study used qualitative case reporting to…

Imitation has an important place in the observational learning process. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may experience limitations in imitation ability. These limitations are associated with deficits in abilities associated with ASD including understanding intention. In this study, the imitation skills and intention understanding…

Studies have consistently shown that character strengths predict well-being and positive psychological outcomes. However, there is sparse research on how these strengths relate to stigma towards individuals with special educational needs (SEN). This study addresses this gap through exploring the link of using humanity-oriented strengths (i.e.,…

Special education provides an accessible route for children with intellectual disabilities (ID) to be evaluated and to access services. Understanding the factors that influence special education eligibility can provide valuable insight into the school evaluation and eligibility process. This study used structural equation modeling to examine the…

There is growing evidence that school starting age impacts children's likelihood of receiving special education services, but less is known about variations in this effect. Using a regression discontinuity design, I found that the youngest students in a kindergarten cohort are 40% more likely (p < 0.001) to be placed in special education than…

Working memory is an important component of executive functioning, an area of difficulty for many autistic children. However, executive functioning and working memory are highly malleable throughout childhood, and various student-level and environmental factors play important roles in their development. This study used the Early Childhood…

In the study reported on here we examined the extent of pre-service teachers' supportiveness for educational inclusion (EI) of students with severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties (SPMLD) in order to identify their attitudinal predictors, as well as the challenges faced in such a process. An attitudinal survey with 33 items was…

Students with specific learning disabilities (SLDs) represent a large proportion of those receiving special education services in U.S. schools, but the relationship between student-level variables and SLD identification is still not well understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which data collected as part of a…

Chapter 2: Nonword repetition has been endorsed as a less biased method of assessment for children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, but there are currently no systematic reviews or meta-analyses on its use with bilingual children. The purpose of this study is to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of nonword repetition in the…

Background: Language ability predicts academic attainment across the curriculum. Teacher report of language difficulties may therefore help schools identify children that require Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision. Special Educational Needs provision is intended to enable children to reach their academic potential, however the effectiveness…

This study uses data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 to examine predictors at the individual, family, and school levels associated with parental expectations toward postsecondary education among students with significant support needs, including those with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and multiple…

In this study, we examined the demographic, disability, referral and service needs profile of children with autism spectrum disorder waiting for school placement in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and combined our findings with those of a previous study on children with autism spectrum disorder attending schools in the province over the…

Related services were examined for 1,400 racial/ethnic transitioning minorities enrolled in the National Longitudinal Transition Study--2 database after adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic variables. Propensity methods balanced minorities (32%) and nonminorities (68%) on demographic and socioeconomic factors. Logistic regressions…