Stemiverse 0036 – Dr Jennifer Yu on STEM and children with special learning needs 

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In this episode, Dr. Peter Dalmaris and Marcus Schappi talk with Dr. Jennifer Yu.

Jennifer is a Principal Scientist and Director of the Disabilities Research Program at SRI International. She specializes in the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services that improve learning and quality of life for people with autism, learning disabilities, and mental/behavioral health issues.

She has led experimental and quasi-experimental studies funded by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation to evaluate school-related interventions aimed at improving engagement, motivation, and academic performance among elementary to postsecondary students with disabilities.

Dr. Yu received her master’s degree in education and a doctorate in public health from Harvard University.

In our discussion, Jennifer talks about her research and covers a multitude of topics. These include the importance of managing the transition of children with autism into adulthood, the predisposition of people with autism to engage with science and technology, relevant technologies and interventions, including SNUDLE, common misconceptions around educational outcomes in people with autism, and so much more.

This is Stemiverse Podcast episode 36.

Stemiverse podcast is brought to you by Tech Explorations, a leading provider of educational resources for Makers, STEM students, and teachers. Go to techexplorations.com to see a complete list of our books and courses covering the Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and electronics.

Show Notes

• [spp-timestamp time=”00:00″] Introduction – Introducing Dr Jennifer Yu
• [spp-timestamp time=”04:29″] Jennifer talks about her background as a teacher, her research in Education and Public Health with a focus on children with disabilities, and her work in SRI International
• [spp-timestamp time=”06:24″] When did Jennifer begin her research?
• [spp-timestamp time=”08:43″] There is a lack of enough support for teachers that can help them understand different disabilities and how to accommodate them
• [spp-timestamp time=”11:50″] The transitional period – transition age – into adulthood for children with disabilities
• [spp-timestamp time=”15:49″] How does Jennifer envision support for teachers being provided?
• [spp-timestamp time=”18:53″] The end-goal and how to integrate the many people involved during school years into the plan to achieve that end-goal
• [spp-timestamp time=”22:53″] The parents at the core of the team
• [spp-timestamp time=”24:12″] The UDL Science Notebook (SNUDLE), developed by CAST
• [spp-timestamp time=”31:04″] SNUDLE provides support for the teachers as well
• [spp-timestamp time=”32:02″] An example of how the SNUDLE app helps teachers provide feedback
• [spp-timestamp time=”33:31″] Will SNUDLE be publicly available?
• [spp-timestamp time=”34:27″] Biggest misconceptions about learning disabilities that Jennifer has noticed in her work with teachers – The importance of non-cognitive factors
• [spp-timestamp time=”40:59″] Is it part of a teacher’s professional development to also seek training in dealing with children with learning difficulties?
• [spp-timestamp time=”44:41″] Are children in the autistic spectrum “gifted” in STEM subjects?
• [spp-timestamp time=”46:07″] The National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2)
• [spp-timestamp time=”47:28″] Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, Cambridge UK
• [spp-timestamp time=”49:16″] What percentage of people that identify themselves with autism would pursue non-STEM studies?
• [spp-timestamp time=”50:29″] Dandelion Program, by DXC Technology Australia
• [spp-timestamp time=”50:46″] Diversity & Inclusion at SAP: The Autism at Work Autism Initiative
• [spp-timestamp time=”51:40″] Is the lack of gender diversity in STEM partly due to autism being more prevalent in boys?
• [spp-timestamp time=”53:22″] Advice for parents and teachers of autistic children on how to help their children enjoy learning
• [spp-timestamp time=”57:12″] Rapid Fire Questions
• [spp-timestamp time=”57:22″] What app Jennifer cannot live without: Kindle app
• [spp-timestamp time=”59:00″] Advice for Educators just starting out
• [spp-timestamp time=”01:00:29″] How to deal with the naughty child at the back of the class
• [spp-timestamp time=”01:02:45″] Software that Jennifer uses for Data Analysis: SAS/STAT, SPSS
• [spp-timestamp time=”01:04:12″] Book Recommendations by Jennifer:
  • Emergence: Labeled Autistic, by Temple Grandin
  • NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity, by Steve Silberman
  • Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s, by John Elder Robison
  • The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon
• [spp-timestamp time=”01:06:49″] Asperger’s – The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
• [spp-timestamp time=”01:07:35″] Parting Thoughts
• [spp-timestamp time=”01:08:54″] Jennifer’s Contact Information: Email: [email protected]