Preference will be given to candidates with research expertise in the field of neuropsychology and attention/attentional disorders and/or social/affective functioning, although outstanding candidates in other areas related to neuropsychological aspects of learning and learning disabilities will also be considered.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide evidence of

• an independent and innovative program of research that is competitive with regard to external funding, and
• a commitment to teaching and supervision.

Applicants at the Associate or Full Professor level must possess a proven record of research excellence, a history of external funding, and an established record of supervising doctoral students.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applications should be sent to Professor David Share, Head Department of Learning Disabilities, Faculty of Education, University of Haifa, dshare [at] construct.haifa.ac.il.

Further information regarding the Department of Learning Disabilities and the Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center can be obtained at www.edu.haifa.ac.il/learning-dis/ and ejsafra.haifa.ac.il.

In the early 1960s, Professor Lovaas accepted an appointment at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) where he continued his behavioral studies of child development but soon began to study children with autism and childhood schizophrenia. Although he briefly considered moving his research operation to Oregon in the 1970s, Professor Lovaas stayed at UCLA throughout the remainder of his career, retiring in 2003. He also founded and directed the Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention (LIFE).

Collaborating initially with James Q. Simmons and later with many students who have become prominent researchers in their own right, Professor Lovaas conducted extensive research about autism. Early studies examined punishment procedures for reducing self-injurious behavior and shaping procedures for promoting language. As the work progressed, these procedures were refined into a system for teaching that employed frequent repetition of brief activities—discrete trials—with detailed monitoring of students’ responses. Perhaps the most widely known study from this era is the 1987 report describing the functioning of children treated with the discrete-trials methods: “Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children.”

The extensive work on systematic instructional procedures for teaching language, social interaction, and other skills led to the publication of Teaching Developmentally Disabled Children: The ME Book, a book that has guided many people’s efforts to help children with substantial behavior problems. A long-anticipated revision of “The Me Book,” Teaching Individuals with Developmental Delays: Basic Intervention Techniques, appeared in 2003.

Professor Lovaas’ work has been celebrated by many. He received the Distinguished Research Contribution Award from the American Psychological Association (APA) as well as the Edgar Doll Award from APA’s Division 33 (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities). The Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis awarded him its award for Effective Presentation of Behavior Analysis in the Mass Media to Professor Lovaas.

Reference

Lovaas, O. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 3-9. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.55.1.3.

Kimberly L. Bright, associate professor of special education at Shippensburg University, died the 30 June 2010 in Harrisburg (PA, US).

Born 26 June 1957, she held degrees from several institutions of higher education. She received a bachelor’s degree from Millersville University, a master’s degree from Shippensburg University, and a doctoral degree from the Pennsylvania State University.

Prof. Bright began her career as a special education teacher. Later she became the director of special education for a local education agency in Pennsylvania.

Prof. Bright served as treasurer for the Division for Learning Disabilities (DLD), an organization that she had previously served as the student representative, while completing graduate studies. In addition to her contributions to DLD, Prof. Bright also was active in the Pennsylvania chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children.

In addition to teaching courses about students with disabilities and effective teaching procedures, Prof. Bright also supervised many students during their practica. According to her colleague, David Bateman, “she is considered a mentor by many of the areas best teachers.” To review comments by some of those individuals, read the tributes posted on her Facebook page.

Link to the obituary published by Hoover Funeral Homes.

And yet, because of his cognitive disabilities brought on by a traumatic brain injury at nearly 6 months old, it is almost impossible to know what he comprehends and retains. After 15 years in the New York City school system, he is less reserved and more social, but otherwise has shown almost no progress, his mother said.

Once predominately isolated in institutions, severely disabled students have been guaranteed a free, appropriate public education like all children since the passage of federal legislation in 1975. In the years since, school districts across the country have struggled to find a balance between instruction in functional skills and academics while providing basic custodial care.

Read to Ms. Ottermn’s article. It would be a worthwhile one for discussion in courses about teaching students with disabilities.

These early-career visiting faculty positions are designed to provide recent doctoral program graduates with a “post-doctoral” experience with an emphasis on teacher education knowledge and skills development and related research and writing with KU faculty, staff, and students. Positions may be renewed for a second year based on Department need and VAP performance.

Contact: chrisswt_at_ku_dot_edu

Chriss Walther-Thomas, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Special Education
University of Kansas

Shining Stars brochure

A coalition of groups concerned with early childhood education will hold its seventh annual conference in mid-July of 2010. Shining Stars: Charting the Future for Today’s Children will be held at the Cavalier Inn in Virginia Beach (VA, US). Click on the upcoming image to download a brochure or go to the Shining Stars conference website for more information.

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