Taking the visual perspective of another individual is an important skill in social communication, and is termed visual perspective-taking (VPT). Individuals with autism spectrum disorder who have deficits in social interaction show relatively lower performance on VPT tasks than individuals who achieve age-appropriate developmental milestones.…

This study evaluated the effects of behavior skills training (BST) as a means to acquire and generalize self-instruction behaviors using video activity schedules (VidAS) loaded on an iPod Touch for four U.S. high school students with intellectual disabilities. Behavior skills training procedures were implemented in two different vocational…

This study used an adapted alternating treatments design to compare the effectiveness of two different procedures for fading video prompts for teaching two individuals with developmental disabilities and moderate intellectual disability to independently perform two different daily living tasks. The tasks were systematically faded from video…

Online instructional delivery has always been viewed as beneficial due to its flexibility in settings and times, but the COVID-19 pandemic produced an essential need for the ability to engage in learning without direct contact with others. For students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability (ASD and ID) who have extensive…

This dissertation explores the theme of applying video-based instruction on employment skill acquisition among secondary students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It consists of an introduction, three stand-alone papers, and a research statement. Chapter 1 presents the overview of the current competitive integrated…

In the current study, three adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and moderate intellectual disability were first taught to independently use an iPad to access instructional material (i.e., video models) via electronic books or eBooks. After iPad training, participants were required to apply their newly acquired skills to independently operate…

Social Stories™ are a story-based intervention commonly used to teach students with disabilities how to behave in new routines or changing environments, academic skills, and social interactions including tacting others' emotions. According to the National Standards Project, story-based interventions are considered an established treatment.…

Mobile technology provides increasingly accessible and normative tools for communication that does not require intelligible oral expression. For adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and complex communication needs, mobile technology presents opportunities for inclusive social experiences and additional modalities for communicating with…

The purpose of this research exploration was to investigate the impact of video prompting procedures on the acquisition of electronic journaling skill, and how to create and present scientific knowledge previously learned by students with intellectual disabilities. Using single-subject, multiple probe, and multiple baseline-design across four…

Self-instruction may not be 100% successful for everyone with an intellectual disability or Autism Spectrum Disorder; however, it is crucial to provide opportunities for learners to self-instruct to further increase independence. Adhering to the steps and considerations described here, practitioners can at least begin reducing their support and…

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, sexuality education (SE) is considered a human right and aims to increase understanding, decrease abuse, unplanned pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections. Yet, individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities are less likely to receive or SE is primarily focused on…

The current study investigated whether four Deaf students with developmental disabilities could learn a chain of independent living skills and follow activity schedules using a combination of the two iPod Touch applications (apps): inPromptu and First Then Visual Schedule. Using a multiple probe across participants design, the study examined the…

Self-instruction for individuals with an intellectual disability can be viewed as a pivotal skill in that once learned this skill has collateral effects on future behaviors in various environments. This study used a multiple probe across participants design to evaluate video modeling to teach high school students with an intellectual disability to…

The use of mentor teachers to sustain the longevity of a novice special education teacher is not a new tactic nor is the use of a mentor teacher's guidance in professional development for novice teachers. This study examines a new method of mentor teachers conducting professional development sessions for novice special educators through the use of…

This study used a multiple probe across participants design to (a) evaluate the use of system of least prompts to teach students to self-instruct and (b) evaluate the use of a mobile device for a video activity schedule of a functional daily living skill. In baseline, the classroom teacher asked participants to make a snack and collected…