Department of Exceptional Student Education

Sound health is critical to quality of life (Skevington, 2007). Acquisition of skills in self-determination and independence are integral to quality of life. Two facets that engender self-determination and independence for an individual are healthy food choice and food preparation (Koponen et al., 2019; Yaddaden et al., 2019). However, healthy food choice and food preparation have received scant attention as individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) continue to face health disparities and poor health status. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore single subject experimental studies conducted on healthy food choice and food preparation from 2005 to 2022 in peer-reviewed journals. The methodology utilized a journal hand search, database search, and ancestral search. The results indicate that of the combined search of over 75,000 articles, less than 1% involved healthy food choice and/or food preparation. The results also illuminate the paucity of the research on healthy food choice and reveal that food preparation is gaining more attention in the empirical literature. The limitations of the study and implications for practice and research are also discussed.

Intervention packages combing behavioral interventions (e.g., time delay, physical prompting, or prompt fading) and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems have proven to be effective in developing communication skills for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Charlop-Christy et al., 2002; Greenberg et al., 2014). However, both preservice and in-service speech language pathologists have limited exposure to the benefits of using behavioral interventions to teach non-vocal functional communication skills (King et al., 2014; Muharib et al., 2019). This study used a multiple probe design across participants design to examine the effects of an online training package to teach speech-language pathologists (SLP) to use a behavioral intervention that combines backward chaining and AAC systems to increase non-vocal requesting of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Two preservice SLPs completed three self-guided video modules on backward chaining and augmentative and alternative communication, engaged in role plays with an adult confederate, and participated in live feedback sessions. Once completed, preservice SLPs learned to use a backward chaining procedure with a communication board to teach children with ASD non-vocal requesting. Results showed that the online training package was effective in increasing the knowledge and skills of the preservice SLPs in using backward chaining to support AAC use and increase the child’s non-vocal requesting.

Online shopping is a common feature of modern adult life and is made easy with targeted advertisements, a large buy now button, and pre-entered credit card information. However, these features do not support making purchasing decisions based on what is best for the individual. Decision making about buying items requires an understanding of basic mathematics, one’s current finances and circumstances, and information about the product, then choosing whether to purchase the item. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) need explicit instruction on how to make informed decisions regarding online purchases.
The current study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention package consisting of a mnemonic and behavior skills training (BST) delivered remotely to improve the decision making of three adults with IDD when shopping online through a multiple probe across participants design. Inter-observer agreement and procedural fidelity was assessed throughout each phase of the study and social validity interviews were conducted to measure perceptions of participants, parents, and professionals on the importance of the goals, procedures, and outcomes of the study.

Sexual experiences and freedom are basic human rights that people with disabilities are often denied. Society and those considered to be within the general public, including caregivers, family members, and professionals that work with people with disabilities, contribute to the lack of sexual experiences and opportunities people with disabilities have throughout their lifetime. This study examined the attitudes of males and females from the general public toward sexual lives for people with disabilities. Further, it explored the difference in attitudes based on disability condition, examining attitudes toward a sexual life for those with a physical disability, intellectual disability, and general or non-specified disability.
Results showed that female respondents reported more positive attitudes toward females with disabilities and females without disabilities having a sex life in comparison to the attitudes male respondents reported toward males with disabilities and males without disabilities having a sex life. Additionally, respondents felt the least positive toward adults with intellectual disabilities having a sex life. Limitations of this study and implications for further research are discussed.

College students with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) are afforded many educational opportunities through Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) programs, including employment training. Competitive employment can contribute a rich independent life, thus more employment training opportunities can be beneficial. Low employment rates for adults with ID have motivated these efforts to develop proper employment training. In the past, on-the-job (OTJ) training with a job coach was one of the only supports for adults with ID in the workplace. Now, there are a variety of evidence-based strategies that can be used in the workplace or in other community settings, such as Covert Audio Coaching (CAC), to teach adults with ID the skills they need to maintain a job.
This study used a multiple probe design to examine the effects of CAC on teaching workplace communication skills to college students with ID in a real-world setting. In this study, students interned in an office setting and spoke to a co-worker at their work setting while the interventionist used a two-way radio system to provide coaching statements to the student during their conversations. All students in this study increased their on-topic communication exchanges, and these results demonstrate that CAC is an effective intervention for this population.

Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience co-occurring physical and mental health challenges throughout their lives. At the same time, they often face many barriers to accessing proper care. Strategies to improve communication and understanding can help to mitigate some of these barriers. This study examined the effects of an instructional package, including a video module accompanied by guided notes, the Autism Healthcare Accommodations Tool (AHAT), and behavior skills training (BST) to teach adults with autism to communicate their unique needs and request accommodations from a medical provider. Participants completed a self-guided video module that guided them through the process of completing the notes and AHAT to identify appropriate accommodations and prepare for a doctor’s appointment. Once completed, participants learned to verbalize their needs and accommodations through BST. Results showed that the participants’ communication skills increased after the introduction of the instructional package, generalized to a novel doctor and maintained once the instructional package was removed. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.