David F. Bateman, PhD, is a professor at Shippensburg University where he teaches courses on special education law, assessment and facilitating inclusion. He’s a former due process hearing officer for Pennsylvania, and he uses his knowledge of litigation relating to…

Tara Kfoury, PhD, is an independent educational and mental health consultant at Boston-based R.I.V.E.R. Educational Consulting. As a researcher, she focuses on creating and teaching critical social, behavioral, and mental health initiatives and strategies. These strategies address anxiety, trauma, suicide,…

Doria Sullivan, MEd, has been a general and exceptional children’s educator, literacy consultant, adjunct professor and dyslexia delegate. She co-authored Reading Research to Classroom Practice, a professional development course on the science of reading. Formally trained in numerous research-based reading…

The earliest years of life are full of rapid changes and transitions. Early childhood teachers are usually the first to notice when young children are not developing and learning as expected. Simple accommodations and modifications can benefit children with disabilities while…

Erin E. Barton PhD, BCBA-D, is an associate professor in the department of special education at Vanderbilt University. She is a former special education teacher with several years of experience teaching children with autism. She teaches courses on evidence-based assessment…

Autism is a neurobiological developmental disorder that has undergone several changes in identification and classification in recent years. It’s now characterized by a spectrum of disorders. People with ASD have difficulty with social communication and interaction, restricted interests, and repetitive…

October is ADHD Awareness Month and since nearly all school staff members – not just teachers – interact with students with ADHD, it’s a good time to make sure that they have a foundational understanding of ADHD and are familiar…

Challenging behavior is not just frustrating; it can have serious negative effects for educators, students, and family members. Challenging behavior can be disruptive, interfere with teaching and learning, and lead to punishment and changes in class or school placements. It’s…