SLP Professor Authors Journal Article

Gwynedd Mercy University's Assistant Professor in the Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology Program Jennifer (McIlvaine) O'Donnell, PhD, CCC-SLP/L, ATP recently published an article in the International Journal of Inclusive Education.

The article, titled "'The field was finally kind of level:’ Nonspeaking autistic students’ perspectives on foundational elements of inclusive virtual learning," examined lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic virtual learning experiences of nonspeaking autistic students who type, spell, and point to communicate. 

Using an optimistic qualitative approach, the authors explored how virtual learning can inclusively meet the needs and preferences of nonspeaking autistic students. The analysis underscored that foundational elements of inclusive virtual learning involve: Connections between competence, communication, and context; Rethinking structures that privilege speech and; Centring and affirming neurodiversity. These findings, informed by nonspeaking autistic students’ perspectives, can enhance inclusive virtual learning by design, and have broader implications for in-person, hybrid, and yet-to-be-imagined contexts.

Students’ educational contexts ranged from middle school through college within the United States, Australia, and Canada. Dr. O'Donnell was the second author on the article along with Casey Woodfield, PhD and Lisa Mihalich Quinn, MA/MEd.

Learn more and read the article in the International Journal of Inclusive Education.