Educating Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Model for High Quality Coaching

About Joshua K. HarrowerLouis G. DentiMarcia Weber-Olsen

Joshua K. Harrower PhD BCBA-D is the Lawton Love Distinguished Professor of Special Education in the Department of Teacher Education at California State University Monterey Bay. He coordinates the special education credential programs and the certificate program in behavior analysis. Dr. Harrower received his doctoral degree from the University of California Santa Barbara and has more than 20 years of experience conducting research working with school districts and directing state and federally funded projects in the delivery of professional development as well as preservice preparation of education personnel in the area of evidence-based instruction and behavior supports for students with autism spectrum disorder. His grant writing has resulted in more than $5 million in funding for personnel development and school climate transformation projects. Dr. Harrower's primary areas of scholarly interest include positive behavior interventions and support autism spectrum disorder applied behavior analysis and pivotal response treatment. ===================================================================== Louis G. Denti PhD is a professor in special education at California State University Monterey Bay where he coordinates the master of arts in education program and teaches graduate level courses. Dr. Denti serves as an educational consultant to school districts on inclusion collaboration/co-teaching effective instruction and classroom management. He is nationally known for his presentations and publications. He is the recipient of the prestigious Annie Glenn National Leadership award named for Annie Glenn wife of former astronaut and Senator John Glenn. Dr Denti's professional interests include response to intervention co-teaching curriculum and instruction for students with mild to severe disabilities and classroom/behavior management. He has been on special education review teams at the local regional state and international levels. ===================================================================== Marcia Weber-Olsen PhD CCC-SPL is a consultant/coach for school teams and families of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and social communication disorders. She received her doctoral training from the University of Kansas and began a teaching and clinical research career with university faculty positions in communicative disorders and sciences in Michigan Texas and California. She currently is guest faculty for California State University Monterey Bay. Dr. Weber-Olsen recently retired from the Monterey County Special Education Local Plan Area where she served as professional trainer classroom consultant and coach in autism spectrum and communication disorders as well as administrated an academic and clinical preparation program in speech-language pathology for teachers returning to special education. Her interests are in helping children with all communication disabilities and students with ASD succeed.