Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a training and coaching program aimed to increase the use of the aided language modeling (ALM) strategy by siblings to support the social interactions of children with disabilities who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in the natural environment. Method: A…

Language sample analysis (LSA) represents a venerated and ecologically valid method for diagnosing, identifying goals, and measuring progress in children with developmental language disorder (DLD). With many LSA measures available, previous research offers limited guidance on which measures should be prioritized based on their robust reliability,…

Accommodations are an integral part of a student's IEP or 504 plan; however, accommodation implementation differs by the various populations of teachers. This research study's purpose examined how the different populations of teachers implement students' accommodations and how the results could be used for professional development. This study…

The purpose of this study is to investigate how K-12 school districts can create and increase a positive working relationship with parents and guardians who have students that are actively going through the initial evaluation process to determine if their student meets eligibility criteria to receive special education services. A phenomenological…

Historically, diversity and inclusivity in the educational system have only sometimes been as welcoming as today (Boroson, 2017; Osgood, 2005). According to the literature on inclusion in education, several factors have contributed to negative perceptions of students with disabilities participating in general education classrooms (Abawi, 2015;…

This study provides insights from a partnership between Special Olympics of Missouri and a Midwestern university during a teaching kitchen experience conducted in spring 2021. This 5-week teaching kitchen used evidence-based practices for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to teach culinary skills and nutrition science led by…

Caregiver involvement plays a critical role in the development of communication in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual/developmental disability (IDD). However, culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) families usually do not receive sufficient culturally and linguistically appropriate support due to language and…

Writing often begins during the early years of childhood. Teachers' beliefs about early writing development can influence children's process in learning to write. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine deaf education teachers' beliefs and practices regarding the process of development of Deaf children's emergent writing. An online…

We designed and distributed a survey that assessed safety concerns experienced by direct service providers (DSPs) (N = 59) of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in community-based group homes at a single human services organization. Results indicated relatively few safety concerns among the respondents from a list of 25…

Determining the level and distribution of special education funding is an ongoing issue. Attempting to meet the extensive range of students' needs, while balancing funding coming from federal, state, and local sources leads to uneven funding burdens and questions about whether all student needs are being met. Traditionally, funding for special…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns in allegations of workplace discrimination by individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). The goal of the research was to describe the discrimination, both actual and perceived, that has occurred against individuals with SUDs through analysis of the United States Equal Employment…

The perceptions of students diagnosed with learning disabilities are largely absent from the discussion of how to best support students diagnosed with learning disabilities efforts to achieve academic success within an inclusive classroom. To better understand the experiences of students diagnosed with learning disabilities and their perceptions…

This social validity study accompanied a 9-month randomized control trial that investigated the efficacy of an emergent literacy program, Early Literacy Skills Builder (ELSB), delivered in general education elementary classrooms to students with severe disabilities, including autism. The social validity research questions focused on (a) the social…

Questions often arise about how accessible educational materials (AEM) might be included in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The two purposes of this article are to (1) help families and educators understand the importance of including AEM in the IEPs of students who require them, and (2) to discuss locations in the IEP where it may be…

Background: Research indicates that transition-age youth with disabilities face several obstacles with regard to finding employment. However, research on the extent to which barriers and facilitators differ across disability types and contexts is lacking. Objective: The primary purpose of this qualitative study was to understand employment-related…