The rate of children being diagnosed with autism is growing rapidly. Currently, 1 in every 36 children born will go on to have an autism diagnosis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). Teachers and early educators working with young children do not have the training required to identify children at risk for this developmental…

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States has been increasing over the years. In the United States, the children of African American parents are more likely to suffer from the consequences of their child having autism spectrum disorder as opposed to non-African American parents. African American children with ASD could…

In the last 5 years, teachers have had challenging experiences while educating young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as the number of children diagnosed with the disorder has sharply increased. This transcendental phenomenological study of teachers' interactions with students with ASD during social activities answers the following…

Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often struggle with comorbid disorders like anxiety. However, special education teachers may lack the training to implement specific interventions in the classroom setting for adolescents with ASD and anxiety. This qualitative action research study was conducted to examine how special education…

Autism spectrum disorder is the most common neurodevelopmental disability in the United States, with approximately one-third of children affected severely. Severe autism (autism level three) results in significant challenges in the home, school, and community. The problem addressed is that families with a child with severe autism are often pushed…

The objective of this study is to examine a diverse group of educators and their background knowledge on the overlap of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and traumatic stress as well as their access to developmentally appropriate trainings and interventions for modified traumainformed care. The current research asks (1) do general education teachers…

The problem addressed by this study was general education teachers who teach students in the elementary school setting have students with ASD in their classrooms for the majority of the day and have reported difficulties understanding their students' academic characteristics as they relate to the student's disability and the student's…

Autism is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and the presence of restricted and/or repetitive behaviors that can negatively impact adaptive, academic, and social functioning. Those diagnosed with ASD may be at an increased risk for poorer life outcomes such as poorer academic achievement and social relationships if they…

The number of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rises each year, along with a demand for use of evidence-based intervention (EBI) in schools. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is widely recognized as an effective EBI for students with ASD, making it a skill that contributes to school psychologists' (SPs) effectiveness. This study reviewed…

Athletic trainers are healthcare providers who work in a variety of settings, including, but not limited to, secondary schools, colleges and universities, and physician clinics. Given the prevalence of developmental disabilities and the settings in which athletic trainers are employed, it is likely that athletic trainers will provide healthcare…

This study examined college faculty members' knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy related to working with students with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as faculty members' level and interest in training and professional developing teaching students with ASD. The participants were faculty members teaching in New Jersey…

There is an increasing awareness among researchers and educators that a significant number of males are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in comparison to females. Recent research has found noted differences related to ASD characteristics associated with females. The differences are particularly noted in females with average to above…

This study examined how faculty who teach in specialized undergraduate programs for autistic college students approach self-advocacy teaching. Test et al.'s (2005) conceptual framework of self-advocacy was used as a lens to investigate this topic. Through ten semi-structured interviews (faculty in specialized college autism programs), ten themes…

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…

Special educators are the primary implementers of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for school-aged students with autism. Twenty-eight strategies and interventions have been categorized as "evidence-based" with demonstrated efficacy for children and youth with autism (Steinbrenner et al., 2020). However, the research-to-practice gap…