Researchers have shown that behavioral interventions that incorporate communication as a focus have demonstrated efficacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Researchers have demonstrated that individuals with IDD allocate responding to one communicative response modality over others when multiple communicative…

Young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) on college campuses are vulnerable to exclusion and a lack of social participation. However, peers can provide meaningful supports to young adults with IDD in the area of social/communication skills. The purpose of this study was to enhance the conversation skills of four young…

Friendships contribute to positive social outcomes such as the promotion of prosocial behaviors and social well-being and can lead to an overall healthy quality of life. Despite the importance of friendships, little is known about how individuals without disabilities develop and maintain friendships with individuals with intellectual and…

In this review, we summarized and meta-analyzed 35 single-case intervention studies that involved the use of multiple schedules of reinforcement with 78 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Based on Tau-U calculations, multiple schedules of reinforcement produced an overall large effect for appropriate communicative…

The purpose of the present study was to explore what wireless and wearable technologies individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) use to connect socially, how these technologies are used to facilitation social connectedness, what barriers or challenges exist when using technology to connect socially, and what supports or…

Historically, research exploring the literacy experiences of learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) has prioritized systematic, multicomponent instruction that emphasizes the development of traditional reading and writing skills. However, this approach may inadvertently facilitate literacy gatekeeping and limit…

This practice article describes one inclusive postsecondary education program's pilot intervention to increase communication amongst caregivers and inclusive postsecondary staff. This pilot intervention aimed to address and alleviate the difficulty caregivers might experience as their young adult with an intellectual or developmental disability…

This dissertation qualitatively studied the social interactions students with IDD had in Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) programs. Through a DSE lens, I analyzed the experiences of 15 current and former IPSE students to determine the phenomena of social interaction while at IPSE. Methods included focus groups, participant observations,…

Peacehaven Community Farm, a sustainable living community in North Carolina whose mission is to connect adults with disabilities to the greater community, launched a job training program to assist in the acquisition of necessary skills to get a job. In the summer of 2019, Peacehaven Community Farm piloted an early version of their program entitled…

For children with autism or intellectual and developmental disabilities who also have complex communication needs, communication is a necessary skill set to increase independence and quality of life. Understanding the how, where, and communication style being taught is important for identifying deficits in the field as well as which interventions…

Youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) aspire to participate in a variety of activities after high school, such as attaining paid employment, enrolling in postsecondary education, being involved in their communities, living independently, and building friendships. However, complex and longstanding transition barriers require…

Functional communication training (FCT) is a well-established, evidence-based practice used to address challenging behavior among individuals across settings, ages, and disability categories. However, the research is limited on the implementation of FCT in inclusive school settings for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The…

Purpose: Today, an ever-increasing number of technological advancements are becoming mainstream. As the availability of technological innovations increases, so do opportunities for evaluating any benefits of those innovations in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) research for individuals with developmental disabilities. One…

The study investigates the essential components and strategies that promote successful collaboration between parents and teachers in special needs education. Prior research highlights the positive impact of collaboration on students' academic, social, and emotional development, but gaps remain in understanding the lived experiences of those…

For children with autism or intellectual and developmental disabilities who also have complex communication needs, communication is a necessary skill set to increase independence and quality of life. Understanding the how, where, and communication style being taught is important for identifying deficits in the field as well as which interventions…