While the number of autistic students attending college has increased, research in this area has only recently gained momentum. Research on faculty interactions and relationships with autistic students is particularly limited. In this qualitative study, I conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 faculty to explore how they interacted with and…

This project study focused on the inconsistencies in transition planning for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by teachers serving as transition education designees (TEDs) in a specific local region of a southern state. Guided by Schlossberg's transition theory, the purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the perceptions…

Using affirming language when speaking about Autism and incorporating the sensory and social preferences of Autistic individuals have been identified as important components of culturally competent care for the Autistic population. Although behavior analysts are expected to provide culturally competent care, the field has not yet established…

The number of children diagnosed with autism has continued to rise since 2000 at startling rates, leading to an increased need for schools to discover innovative ways to meet the unique learning needs of these students. Technology has proven to be adaptable and successful in teaching social skills to children with autism. Assistive technology and…

Developmental disorders impose significant public health and economic burdens on society. These conditions present substantial social, communication, and behavioral challenges throughout an individual's lifetime. It is well known that early diagnosis is crucial for enabling timely and effective interventions, which improve long-term outcomes for…

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.…

The rise in autism and shifts in federal laws have driven a move towards inclusive education, aiming to offer equal opportunities and support for autistic students facing challenges in communication, social skills, and repetitive behaviors. Yet, placing students in the least restrictive environment can strain general education teachers without…

Given the inclusion of sensory reactivity as a diagnostic criterion for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the theorized etiological role of sensory reactivity in the development of autism, adequate sensory measures of sensory reactivity in autism, including measures extending to use in infancy, are needed. Adequate sensory measurement relies on…

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is becoming more prevalent with an increasing need to identify and eliminate barriers to care. Healthcare Providers (HCP) have shown limited knowledge and confidence when managing patients with ASD. The inability to provide specialized care and recognize symptoms of pain or discomfort could result in…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how reading teachers in southern urban schools described their use of prior knowledge and text clues in instructing high functioning ASD students in their use of inferencing to improve their reading comprehension. There were three research questions used in this study: RQ1: How do…

This manuscript proposes the use of a Delphi study to gain knowledge from educators of neuro-divergent students attending a private, special needs grade school in the southeastern United States that specializes in meeting the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) needs of neuro divergent students, primarily with diagnoses of Level 1 Autism Spectrum…

The prevalence of autism is on the rise and this population of students is not academically thriving, thus leading to strained resources and more intervention services across the lifespan. The educational problem is that teachers report being ill-equipped to address the diverse academic needs of their students with autism. The purpose of this…

The number of children being identified as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been increasing, and with this increase, the number of adolescents needing post-secondary transition services has increased. Many adolescents with ASD have needs related to employment, and educators are in need of effective employment related interventions for…

Over the past several years, the need for identification and implementation of effective reading comprehension strategies for students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has come to the forefront of educational research, especially as the prevalence of this population continues to rise. It has been well documented, a large percentage of…

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often exhibit persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, along with restrictive and repetitive patterns of behavior. These characteristics can significantly hinder their ability to navigate social interactions and succeed in academic settings. This study explored the need for…