A Case Study of an Office of Disability Support Services in Higher Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Bunnie Claxton, Russ Claxton, Deanna Keith, and Russ Yocum

The purpose of this qualitative case study is to identify the factors that impact learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a postsecondary setting. The central research question is: What factors of the disability support services offices impact learning in university students with ASD? The subquestions include: (a) How do students with ASD describe their experiences with the University’s disability support services offices? (b) How do University faculty describe their role in supporting students with ASD? (c) What factors of the disability support services offices are perceived by students and faculty as having a positive impact on student learning? (d) What factors of the disability support services offices are perceived by students and faculty as lacking or ineffective? This single case study included six student participants with autism spectrum disorder and four disability support services office faculty members from the University. Data were collected via individual interviews, an online focus group, and documents/archival records. Data analysis consisted of categorical aggregation, development of naturalistic generalizations, and development of themes.

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SCHOLARLY PRESENTATIONS

Claxton, B. L. & Michael, K. Y., (2022, January). Implementing Applied Research: An Alternative Research Approach for Doctoral Candidates in Education. Presentation at the Counsel for Teaching Excellence (CTE). Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA.

Claxton, B. L. (2021, October). Conducting Applied Research in Education. Webinar on LinkedIn through Kendall Hunt.

Claxton, B. L. & Claxton R. L. (2019, July). Support Services for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Higher Education. International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership (ICPEL). Laguna Beach, CA.

Claxton, B. L. (2019, April). Phenomenological Study of the Experiences of Middle School Teachers Working with Girls with High Functioning Autism. Liberty University Research Week. Lynchburg, VA.

Claxton, B. L. (2017, August). Support Services for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Higher Education, Virginia Educational Research Association (VERA), Charlottesville, VA.

Claxton, B. L. & Claxton R. L. (2017, August). Professionalism in Education: Hitting your Mark (2nd Edition). National Council for Professors of Educational Administration (NCPEA), Round Table book talk. San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Claxton, B. L. (2017, February). Online Learning in the K-12 Environment. Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Orlando, FL.

Claxton, B. L. (2016, November). Disability Support Services in Higher Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Poster Presentation, Council for Exceptional Children. Lynchburg, VA.