To better understand the existing research for teaching workplace social skills to individuals with severe disabilities, we conducted a systematic review of the literature across five databases between the years 1975 and 2020. This review examined study characteristics, intervention efficacy, and methodological soundness. We identified a total of…

This literature review examined trends in the curricular focus and type of articles published on secondary curriculum for transition-age students with severe disabilities across a 40-year time span (1981-2020). We analyzed 397 peer-reviewed journal articles by decade. The number of articles published steadily declined from 1981-1990 to 2001-2010…

Currently most special education teachers, including those who teach students with significant disabilities, are evaluated using observation systems designed for general educators. Because the roles and effective teaching practices of special educators differ from general educators, we propose that a more appropriate observation tool is necessary,…

Students with significant disabilities (intellectual and developmental disabilities) are predominantly educated in separate settings, and tend to have little access to schoolwide positive behavior supports (SWPBS). In this study, we first identified the most commonly cited SWPBS evaluation tools in the literature between 2010 and 2016. The SET,…

The following article addresses existing literature on transition services for adolescents with serious mental illness (SMI) who need specific and customized supports during the transition from high school to post-secondary school or employment. The purpose of this manuscript is to examine how the implementation of supports will positively impact…

Abstract: This study evaluated whether or not teachers of students with severe disabilities reported implementing specific data-based decision guidelines to make instructional decisions (Browder, Liberty, Heller, & D'Huyvetters, 1986; Browder, Demchak, Heller, & King, 1989) following completion of their teacher preparation program. A…

Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of the Good Behavior Game (GBG); however, limited information exists on the impact of the GBG on students with severe disabilities. This study investigated the impact of the GBG on students with severe disabilities and their off-task behaviors. Three students in three self-contained…

There is a lack of research on effective interventions to improve the early numeracy skills of children with severe disabilities---autism spectrum disorder, developmental disability, and intellectual disability---and complex communication needs. While preliminary research suggests the Early Numeracy curriculum is effective for teaching children…

To support employment of individuals with severe disabilities, instructional approaches for improving independent performance are urgently needed. The purpose of this research was to assess the effects of TEACCH structured teaching on the independent work skills of individuals with severe disabilities in a job setting. A multiple probe across…

The present study sought to determine if systematically teaching the use of visual supports to three students identified as having moderate to severe disabilities resulted in improved task completion and independence in general education settings. For each participant, a visual support system delineated a multi-step task, which prior to the…

The study examined the effects of the types of communication breakdowns of the communication partners on the repair strategies of students with severe intellectual disability during interaction within the natural school environment. Forty-eight staff members, divided into two groups based on daily vs. weekly contact with the student, and 12…

A single subject alternating treatment design was used to compare most-to-least and least-to-most prompts to teach work tasks in community businesses. Four students with moderate to severe disabilities, two paraprofessionals, and one transition teacher participated in the study. Results of the study suggest that both prompting strategies were…

Sexual development is a complex but vital part of the human experience. People with significant disabilities are not excluded from this principle, but often may be prevented from receiving high-quality and comprehensive instruction necessary for a healthy sexual life. The functional model of self-determination emphasizes increasing knowledge,…

Research over the last decade or so has made it clear that quality teachers matter to student achievement. What is less clear is the ways in which they matter and how we can prepare such high-quality teachers for a variety of contexts. The research question guiding this project was what do important stakeholder groups perceive to be the skills and…

This article responds to rejoinder by Courtade, Spooner, Browder, and Jimenez (2012) of our initial article (Ayres, Lowrey, Douglas, & Sievers, 2011) describing the importance in making individualized curriculum decisions for students with severe disabilities. We point out our agreements with the rejoinder (reiterating statements from our…