Faculty Spotlight

National Autism Acceptance Month Faculty Spotlights

During National Autism Acceptance Month, we would like to spotlight the work of two College of Education faculty: Dr. Stephanie MacFarland and Dr. Kirsten Lansey.

Dr. Stephanie MacFarland is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies. She also serves as the Director of both the Teacher Preparation Program in Severe and Multiple Disabilities and Project FOCUS, an inclusive college program designed to support accessibility for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to academic courses, internships, and campus life in order to increase each student’s communication and social skills, self-determination, and employability with the engagement and support of same-age peer mentors.

Smiling woman with blonde hair and glasses, wearing a vibrant blue jacket with colorful embroidered sleeves and black dress, seated indoors beside a filing cabinet and a potted plant.
Kirsten R. Lansey

“Inclusive education…benefits all students because [it] can foster acceptance, empathy, gaining perspective, and collaborative learning.”

What advice do you have to offer about autism and education based on your experience and expertise?

Stephanie: This is a big question. Nonetheless, with 44 years of experience in the field of special and general education, I can offer some sound advice. My advice is framed in justice in education and quality of life for all children and those most marginalized. I have three priority areas of advice to share: early intervention, communication and social skills training, and inclusive and effective education. First, early intervention can positively impact the child’s attachment and bonding with their caregivers, sensory integration, behavioral needs, communication and social skills, and overall development.  Second, communication and social skills interventions and training that are provided with continuity throughout the child’s education will result in their having these important life-long skills as they transition into their adult lives and communities. Lastly, inclusive education that is effective, fair, and collaboratively supportive 1) improves social and communication skills and peer interactions, and builds friendships; 2) improves cognitive skills, and increases opportunities for academic achievement with their same-age peers; and 3) benefits all students because the educational experiences and opportunities they have together can foster acceptance, empathy, gaining perspective, and collaborative learning.

Dr. Kirsten Lansey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies. Her work is focused on contributing to systemic educational change so that students with complex support needs receive inclusive and equitable learning opportunities that support them in reaching their goals. Her current research focuses on identifying inequities in segregated educational placements of students with disabilities and intersecting identities by exploring multi-level factors using statistical and spatial analyses. Additionally, she examines how the educational placement of students with complex support needs affects their access to free and appropriate public education (FAPE), particularly as it relates to the general education curriculum. She is also a Co-PI on a Spencer Foundation Racial Equity Grant and a 5-year training grant funded by the US Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), as well as being the UA Principle Investigator for an additional cross-university 5-year training grant program funded by OSEP. 

 

Based on your own extensive knowledge, what is one thing about autism that people often do not realize?

Kirsten: It’s hard to focus on just one thing, especially in the current sociopolitical climate. Based on the claims being made currently, including the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, there are a number of things I would want general audiences may not realize about autism. Specifically, there are some myths and assumptions that I think it would be important to debunk. Here are six misconceptions I and others have been working to clarify through our work. 

Additionally, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, The Arc of the United States, Autistic Women and Non-Binary Network, Autistic People of Color Fund, and partners across the disability and public health sectors put out a joint statement expressing deep concern about some of the high-profile false claims people are making about autism. This statement, in conjunction with the debunking of myths and assumptions above, are vital for everyone to learn about, especially those of us committed to improving educational environments and outcomes for those who are a part of the autism community. 

“Autism has been “blamed” on various causes across time, rather than accepting autism as natural human diversity.”

SEVERAL ARTICLES TO HIGHLIGHT

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO HIGHLIGHT

 [ZN1]Articles included as attachments in faculty spotlight email to link to

PAST SPOTLIGHTS

Portrait of Alex Lynch standing in front of a teal metal wall, wearing a black button-up shirt with white polka dots, and smiling slightly at the camera.
Alex Lynch
A person stands outdoors in front of a large agave plant and flowering bushes, with a red brick building in the background. They are smiling and wearing a light gray herringbone blazer with gold buttons over a white shirt. The lighting suggests it is a sunny day.
Dr. Z Nicolazzo
A woman stands smiling between two University of Arizona mascots, Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat. Wilma wears a cheerleading outfit with a red bow, and Wilbur wears a basketball uniform with the number 21 and a blue cowboy hat. They are outdoors in front of a stone wall and tree.
Dr. Crystal M. Soltero
Portrait of Katherine Cheng
Dr. Katherine (Kat) Cheng
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Dr. Laurie Seder
Portrait of Dr. Desiree Vega, a woman with curly brown hair, smiling and posing with arms crossed. She is wearing a black blazer over a floral-patterned dress. The background features green plants and a modern rust-colored metal wall.
Dr. Desiree Vega
Craig Wilson
Dr. Craig Wilson
Portrait of Robert Berry, a bald man wearing glasses, a navy blue suit, white dress shirt, and a red tie. He is smiling and standing outdoors in front of green foliage, with a University of Arizona lapel pin on his suit jacket.
Dr. Robert Q. Berry III
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Dr. Adai Tefera
A smiling woman with curly black hair stands in a desert landscape during golden hour. She is wearing a colorful, patterned maxi dress with a high neckline. The background features cacti, desert shrubs, and distant mountains bathed in warm sunlight.
Dr. Renae Mayes
Portrait of a smiling woman with short, curly black hair, wearing pearl earrings, a mustard-yellow blouse, and a black cardigan. She is standing outdoors in front of large agave plants and greenery.
Dr. Sybil Durand
A smiling woman with long, dark dreadlocks wearing a red University of Arizona shirt takes a selfie in front of a bookshelf filled with books, awards, and a framed photograph
Dr. Dawn Demps
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Dr. Desiree Cueto