Joshua Plavnick

The purpose of this project is to develop and pilot test an online training program, the POWR System, for paraeducators and their supervising special education teachers to improve the communication skills of young children with complex communication needs by supporting their use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Young children with complex communication needs, who are unable to use speech to express their needs, exchange information, or develop close relationships,...

This postdoctoral program trained six postdoctoral fellows in the development and evaluation of interventions for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other special educational needs. The program was housed in the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, an interdisciplinary research center with faculty from early childhood education/early intervention, psychology, special education, speech and communication disorders, epidemiology, pediatrics, and public health.