Learning disabilities are the most common eligibility category in which children qualify for special education services. Despite this, there is surprisingly little current information on the prevalence and needs of children with math disabilities, and even less information on interventions to support children in schools. This dissertation aimed to…

Extant research on early intervention programs for economically disadvantaged families with very young children predominantly focuses on the benefits that accrue to the children. Yet, these "two-generation" interventions may also influence parents, as most programs provide services to families as well as children. In a set of three…

Family-program partnerships in early care and education have the potential to influence young children's development through multiple pathways. Guided by the Head Start (HS) Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) framework, the current study uses data from the 2014 HS Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES) to examine the direct, and…

Autism evaluation processes are often fragmented and lead to delays in accurate identification and services. These inefficient processes also lead to substantial burden on families when navigating the autism diagnostic odyssey that often requires information-sharing across providers and settings. Collaboration across schools, clinical settings,…

Quality relationships among families and teachers in early care and education (ECE) hold promise to nurture resilience among children impacted by adversity. However, little is known about how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may affect the interactions between families and teachers. This study uses quantitative survey data from families (N =…

This study extends the research on the preschool "home literacy environment" (HLE) in the context of the family risk (FR) of reading disability (RD) by examining a multiple-deficit model of RD. A total of 1,171 six-year-old Norwegian children were assessed at school entry, the onset of formal reading instruction in Norway. Their parents…

The transition from early intervention to preschool is a major early milestone for children with multiple disabilities and their families and the first of many transitions they will experience across the lifespan. However due to the low-incidence nature of multiple disabilities, this group has been largely left out of the literature surrounding…

In urban areas like New York City, school choice systems intend to break the connection between residential segregation and schooling by allowing students to attend schools outside their neighborhoods. If successful, school choice could benefit historically underserved students. However, recent research suggests that achievement gaps and…

Emerging research suggests English and Spanish proficiencies of young Latine dual language learners (DLLs) are heterogeneous, including subgroups characterized by varying levels of English and Spanish dominance and proficiencies. However, there is limited understanding of contextual factors associated with the formation of DLL profiles. This study…

Emerging research suggests English and Spanish proficiencies of young Latine dual language learners (DLLs) are heterogeneous, including subgroups characterized by varying levels of English and Spanish dominance and proficiencies. However, there is limited understanding of contextual factors associated with the formation of DLL profiles. This study…

A robust body of evidence over the past half a century has documented the importance of early childhood experiences for adult outcomes. From maternal prenatal care to early intervention in infancy and toddlerhood, and through high-quality care and educational experiences in the preschool years, support services and programs for families and young…

Children with complex congenital heart defects often show delays and deficits in cognitive, language, motor, and social-emotional functioning. As such, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Associated recommend ongoing monitoring and support of development. In conjunction with the formal therapeutic supports frequently…

Collaborative working with families has positive impacts on outcomes for families and children. However, implementing a collaborative approach requires allied health professionals to have knowledge, skills, experience, and confidence in working with families. This scoping review aimed to explore teaching practices used in order to prepare allied…

Purpose: Fourth grade typically involves shifting the instruction from "learning to read" to "reading to learn," which can cause students to struggle. However, early reading intervention guided by assessment has demonstrated effectiveness in preventing later reading difficulties (RD). This study presents a classification and…

Traditional provider-to-child models of early intervention (EI) service provision have been increasingly replaced by service guidelines that promote a broader family-centered approach to support improvement in the child's primary area of delay. These guidelines include working directly with caregivers and addressing needs of the family that might…