This phenomenological research project explored the experiences of Somali parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and how these parents navigated the special education system. Autism affects Somali immigrants disproportionately (Minnesota Department of Health, 2009). Recent research indicates that children of Somali descent…

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of a computer assisted instruction to deliver discrete trial training of academic skills to students with significant intellectual disabilities. Based upon the principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis, discrete trial training was identified as an evidence-based practice in teaching skills to…

Millions of students with disabilities in the United States have access to educational programming to assist and provide special education support services. In existence for mere decades, special education as it currently stands was founded on groundbreaking legislation and refining law in the form of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act…

Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions (NDBI) have been shown to facilitate the development of spontaneous language in individuals with speech and language impairment. Several meta-analyses have reported a small number of studies that utilized naturalistic teaching approaches combined with augmentative and alternative communication…

Low-income African American parents have the potential of not being actively involved with the individualized educational planning for a child with special needs but specifically, one with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This cohort of parents is particularly at risk of experiencing poor communication with, and disclosure from, the local…

Due to Covid-19, there have been extreme changes to the educational landscape for students. These changes to instruction not only impacted children, but their parents as well as they took on greater responsibilities for instruction. This presented challenges for many students, but particularly for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).…

Mathematics education is important for students with developmental disabilities. Additional research is needed that examines interventions to teach grade-level mathematics content to these students. In this single-case multiple probe across participants study, researchers explored the functional relation for four middle school students with…

Early interventions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can increase the success of children diagnosed with ASD by preparing them academically and socially for school, which has lifelong benefits. The general problem is that despite the known benefits of early intervention, many children do not receive services or even diagnoses at an early age.…

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is diagnosed using the same criteria for males and females (e.g., DSM-5, ICD-10). Our understanding of ASD, including its etiology, symptom presentation, and prevalence has evolved significantly over time motivating several changes to the diagnostic criteria and the tools with which symptoms are measured. One aspect…

Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD) has been the focus of four decades of neuropsychological research. However, it has yet to be included as a diagnostic category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (i.e., currently in its fifth edition, DSM-5, American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Many of the characteristics associated…

Despite an increasing number of young adults with autism pursuing postsecondary education, limited research has been devoted to high-functioning students with autism transitioning to college and currently attending postsecondary education. This preliminary study surveyed 109 high school and undergraduate students with high-functioning autism.…

This study aimed to identify students self-reported growth after participating in a Social Skills Group program and explore what factors of the program students perceived as having the greatest and least impact on their social skills knowledge. As prevalence rates for ASD continue to rise, the Autism Tsunami of college students will soon be…

This study investigated the effects of behavioral skills training (BST) with video modeling and in situ training on workplace conversational skills of four transition-age students with autism enrolled in a U.S. community-based internship program. Intervention sessions began with BST, which included direct instruction, video modeling,…

Autistic people face high unemployment rates. One reason for this may be that hiring processes are inaccessible. This study aimed to establish autistic people's unique experiences of hiring processes in the United Kingdom, by comparing them to the experiences of non-autistic neurodivergent people and neurotypical people. Using qualitative and…

Purpose: This paper discusses the elements of successful university-level, cross-disciplinary course development using best practices to foster richer relational networks and to meet the complex demands of education and treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Design/methodology/approach: The three authors created and taught a…