PERSONAL STATEMENT

I believe that all children can learn. It is up to us to find the way to best teach them. They deserve to live as independently as possible. Behavior analysis has shown us the way to productively educate even the most vulnerable population, those with moderate to profound disabilities. Principles of behavior analysis have been successfully used to teach both academics and functional living skills.

Specifically, I look to technology and behavior analysis as a way to standardize the content and prompting to help them be successful. Video prompting has been used to teach a wide variety of skills. The ubiquity of technology today makes using handheld devices less stigmatizing and provide useful ways to deliver content. Virtual and augmented reality are also showing great promise in educational settings. My research aims to identify the best practices for using these technologies to teach learners with intellectual disabilities. Using the principles of behavior analysis, all children can learn and live the best life possible.

​

I am currently exploring mathematics interventions for learners with more profound intellectual disabilities. Although much of the focus for this population continues to be on functional skills, I believe that, with the proper teaching strategies, we can teach general education mathematics skills to this population. By doing so, we provide them more opportunity for their independent futures. Mathematics plays a critical role in an independent adult existence. They deserve our best efforts to make that happen.