MAIER Faculty Make Research News
MAIER’s dedication to improving the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum includes conducting research to support evidence-based practices and sharing the results of research projects with professionals, researchers, and families impacted by autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Recently, Deborah Rooks-Ellis, Director of MAIER, and Sarah Howorth, Director of the PEERS Clinic at UMaine, teamed with their UM Special Education colleague Sara Flanagan to document how the use of augmented reality tools, when coupled with video modeling (an evidence-based practice for students with ASD) can help improve the reading and comprehension skills of students on the autism spectrum. To learn more about their project, and the resulting publication in the online journal Intervention in School and Clinic, check out this article on the College of Education and Human Development website.
Drs. Rooks-Ellis and Howorth continue to share their research with professional and education communities by participating in national and international forums and conferences. This month, they participated in the Council for Exceptional Children Division on Autism & Developmental Disabilities (DADD) 2020 conference in Sarasota, FL. Dr. Howorth was part of a team offering the Preconference Institute, “Using Current and Emerging Technologies to Enhance Outcomes for Students with ASD and/or Intellectual Disability.” Both participated in the conference’s poster presentation sessions, displaying poster summaries of their research for discussion with attendees. Topics included:
- Technology Tools to Support Behavior Analysts and Teachers
- Use of an Augmented Reality Application to Support Reading Skills of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- A Meta-analysis of Reading Interventions for Students with Severe Disabilities
- Sexuality and Autism
- Telehealth Parent Training Using the Early Start Denver Model
- Breaking Down Classroom Barriers for Students with Autism in College
For more information about research being conducted at MAIER, contact MAIER maineautisminstitute@maine.edu or 207.581.2352