This dissertation focuses on sensory-based strategies at schools for students on the autism spectrum, with a focus on the degree to which these approaches might be effective for reducing interfering behaviors or promoting on-task behaviors. Chapter 1 provides an introduction and brief background information related to the subsequent chapters.…

This study aimed to investigate and improve collaborative educational leadership to eliminate the barriers created by the lack of inclusive pedagogy and the deficit approaches to instructing students with disabilities, which together limit access to the general education curriculum and classroom in school districts in the Northeast. The Cycle 1…

The purpose of this study was to describe d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing (d/DHH) students' and an instructor's perceptions of "teaching presence" and "social presence" in online learning environment. A focus on education of underrepresented populations coupled with d/DHH student preference to take online courses creates a need for…

General education physical education (GPE) teachers currently face difficulties in providing for the special needs of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in inclusion GPE classes. In addition, there is currently no best practice in how to present information on adapted physical education (APE ) strategies to GPE teachers effectively. This…

Together, this dissertation describes the combined importance of visuality, pedagogy, and forces like power in deaf education. It documents a multimethod qualitative research design with case study and grounded theory methods to examine conflicting issues about "how" and "why" vision is used in deaf pedagogy. Initially,…

Pedagogy that centers primarily on oral and written language significantly limits the educational progress of students with disabilities because it may not regularly afford them opportunities to express what they have learned. It stands to reason that increased opportunities for expression through multiple ways or modes of meaning-making will lead…