Elizabeth E. Biggs

Randomized Evaluation of Peer Support Arrangements to Support the Inclusion of High School Students With Severe Disabilities

Enhancing the social and learning experiences of students with severe disabilities in inclusive classrooms has been a long-standing focus of research, legislative, and advocacy efforts. The authors used a randomized controlled experimental design to examine the efficacy of peer support arrangements to improve academic and social outcomes for 51 students with severe disabilities in high school general education classrooms. Paraprofessionals or special educators recruited, trained, and supported 106 peers to provide individualized academic and social assistance to students with severe disabilities throughout one semester. Compared to students exclusively receiving adult-delivered support (n = 48), students participating in peer support arrangements experienced increased interactions with peers, increased academic engagement, more progress on individualized social goals, increased social participation, and a greater number of new friendships. Moreover, an appreciable proportion of relationships lasted one and two semesters later after the intervention had concluded. These findings challenge prevailing practices for supporting inclusive education and establish the efficacy and social validity of peer support arrangements as a promising alternative to individually assigned paraprofessional support.

Quality of Life for Transition-Age Youth with Autism or Intellectual Disability

We examined the subjective health and well-being of 389 transition-age youth with autism or intellectual disability using the parent proxy version of the KIDSCREEN-27. Parents reported well-being of youth with autism and youth with intellectual disability lower than a normative sample in the domains of Physical Well-being, Psychological Well-being, and Social Support and Peers. For both groups of young people, the lowest ratings were reported in Social Support and Peers. Higher ratings of well-being in one or more domains were predicted by minority status, youth character strengths, involvement in community activities, and religious faith. Challenging behaviors, autism, age, and speech as the primary mode of communication were predictive of lower ratings of well-being. We discuss implications for special educators and service providers and offer directions for future research.

Known for my strengths: Positive traits of transition-age youth with intellectual disability and/or autism

Can young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities be known for their strengths? This mixed-method study explored the strengths of 427 youth and young adults with intellectual disability and/or autism (ages 13-21) from the vantage point of their parents. Using the Assessment Scale for Positive Character Traits–Developmental Disabilities (ASPeCT-DD), parents identified numerous strengths across multiple domains and factors. Every young person in the sample was described as having at least one strength (Mdn = 20, range 1-26), and their strength-related profiles varied widely. Higher ratings of strengths were predicted by greater involvement in community activities and use of speech as the primary mode of communication. Challenging behaviors predicted lower ratings of strengths. These findings challenge prevailing deficit-based views of young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and offer a promising alternative for describing transition-age youth in terms of the strengths they bring to activities and relationships. We offer recommendations for future research and practice.

Implementation and Generalization of Peer Support Arrangements for Students With Severe Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms

Although research suggests peer support arrangements can be an effective practice for improving social outcomes for students with severe disabilities, additional efforts are needed to refine training and implementation approaches to increase the replicability and sustainability of this intervention. We tested a promising teacher-delivered training model using a multiple-probe-across-participants design. Four paraprofessionals received training to facilitate peer support arrangements for four middle school students with severe disabilities in general education classrooms. Teacher-delivered training enabled paraprofessionals to facilitate peer support arrangements that increased support from peers and interactions for students with disabilities. In addition, three of four students with disabilities demonstrated growth on individualized goals. We discuss implications for research and practice, highlighting approaches for improved implementation of peer support arrangements.

Efficacy of Peer Support Arrangements to Increase Peer Interaction and AAC Use

Supporting interaction in inclusive settings between students with complex communication needs (CCN) and their peers requires careful planning and support. We used a multiple-probe-across-participants design to investigate the efficacy of collaborative planning and peer support arrangements to increase peer interaction in inclusive classrooms. Participants were four middle school students with CCN who had an intellectual disability and used an iPad with Proloquo2Go as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Educational teams comprised of a special educator, general educator, paraprofessional, and speech-language pathologist participated in collaborative planning for the intervention. For all four students, the intervention substantially increased communication to and from their peers. AAC use increased for one student. We offer implications for research and practice on supporting social interaction in general education settings.

Systematic Review of Instructional Methods to Teach Employment Skills to Secondary Students With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Effective vocational instruction is an essential aspect of preparing students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) for the world of work. We systematically reviewed research on instructional methods used to teach employment skills to secondary students with IDD. We identified 56 studies involving 766 participants with IDD. Four intervention approaches emphasized technology or some other instructional stimulus (i.e., self-management devices, video-based, audio-based, picture and tactile-based) and four focused on live instructors (i.e., direct instruction, augmentative and alternative communication, simulation, peer-delivered). Among the 21 instructional methods used within these approaches, performance feedback, device-assisted instruction, response prompting, and community-based instruction were the most common. We address the extent to which these intervention approaches were effective across students, instructional methods, settings, and outcomes, as well as offer recommendations for future research and practice.

Accomplishing More Together: Influences to the Quality of Professional Relationships Between Special Educators and Paraprofessionals

Fostering and maintaining strong collaborative relationships are critically important for paraprofessionals and special education teachers working together to provide a high-quality education for students with severe disabilities. Through in-depth interviews with 22 teachers and paraprofessionals comprising nine educational teams, we examined educator perspectives on what influences the quality of their professional relationships, as well as how their perspectives on these influences converged or diverged. Teachers and paraprofessionals identified five themes of influences to the quality of their relationships: teacher influences, paraprofessional influences, shared influences (i.e., related to the collective efforts of teachers and paraprofessionals), administrative influences (i.e., related to school and district leaders), and underlying influences (i.e., related to contextual or other factors). The findings highlight the complex nature of these relationships and emphasize the importance of supporting teachers and paraprofessionals as they work together to meet the needs of students with severe disabilities. We offer recommendations for future research and practice aimed at strengthening the quality and impact of special educator–paraprofessional collaborations.

Relationships Matter: Addressing Stigma Among Children and Youth with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Peers

Social relationships are an important aspect of flourishing. For children and youth with intellectual disabilities, positive connections with peers without disabilities are especially salient. When young people with and without disabilities encounter, interact, and connect with one another in satisfying ways, social stigma may be reduced. Absent intentional planning and support, peer relationships may be less likely to develop and maintain. We discuss indicators of stigma in schools, address considerations for promoting relationships, and present promising school-based intervention approaches. We offer avenues for educators to facilitate meaningful relationships in schools and provide recommendations for future research.

Being Present versus Having a Presence: Dimensions of Belonging for young People with Disabilities and their Families

Faith communities aspire to be places of healing, hope, and healthy relationships that bring life to every member. For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families, finding a place of belonging within such a community can have great importance. In this qualitative study, we explored the experiences of belonging among 25 parents who were involved in a local church and had a son or daughter with IDD. We present 10 dimensions of belonging that reflect a trajectory of deepening relationship—beginning with being present and culminating in being loved. We discuss implications of this framework for cultivating inclusive communities and offer recommendations for future research at the intersection of faith and disability.

“Developing That Balance”: Preparing and Supporting Special Education Teachers to Work With Paraprofessionals

The prominence of paraprofessionals in the education of students with severe disabilities highlights the importance of ensuring special education teachers provide effective supervision and support. The authors conducted in-depth individual interviews with members of nine educational teams—a total of 22 teachers and paraprofessionals—to identify (a) the competencies they consider important for special education teachers to work effectively with paraprofessionals and (b) their recommendations for equipping teachers to develop these competencies. Participants identified 10 competencies addressing three areas contributing to balanced leadership: knowledge, skills, and dispositions. They also recommended eight avenues for leadership development spanning three broad pathways: university-based preparation, school/district support, and personal development. The authors’ findings suggest the need to embed development of these competencies within existing training and support programs for teachers. The authors offer recommendations for future research and practice targeting teacher development in these areas.