Student: Leah Kenney
Graduation date: May 2016
Capstone type: Non-thesis
Capstone project:
Portland Public School System’s Struggle to Make Every Puzzle Piece Fit: How Autism Education Needs to Change
Capstone file(s): Show file | Show file
Framing Question:
How has the progression of special needs education affected students with autism in the public education system in Portland?
Focus Questions:
Does standardization of curricula help or hinder special education?
What is ASD and how do people with ASD learn differently than neurotypical people?
How have Portland Public Schools structured their special education system in order to accommodate people with ASD?
What is a curriculum that I can propose in order to better the Portland Public School system and include specific learning techniques to help people with ASD?
I have worked a lot with individuals with autism and I have always been interested in the differences in communication between neurotypical people and people with autism. For my capstone, I explore sense of place in the classroom and note the differences in teaching style necessary for people who are not neurotypical. Additionally, I propose an alternative curriculum that incorporates emotional expression and sense of self in a community.
My final outcome is for individual articles that make up a series about autism in the inclusive classroom on my personal DS site.