Autism, family engagement, naturalistic community-based practices for language/social/communication development, cultural diversity/adaptation

My research focuses on developing and implementing community-based programs in collaboration with culturally diverse autistic children/youth and their families and understanding their experiences and perspectives related to inclusion, advocacy, cultural identity, and neurodiversity using single case design, qualitative, and mixed methods. An example of my recent work includes the which was in partnership with the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center and funded through the and culturally adapted online module/coaching on Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI) strategies for Korean parents of autistic children. More information about ongoing projects can be found here. In addition to my work with families, I am also passionate about partnering with practitioners in early intervention and early childhood education, for example, by providing professional development on naturalistic, strength-based support for early language, social, and communication development, cultural diversity/adaptation, and family-centered practices, and mentoring graduate students pursuing training in research on these topic areas. I am a faculty affiliate in the and the , as well as a member of the Inclusive Education Working Group of the and a Member-At-Large of the . I am accepting new PhD students for Fall 2025.

2022 - National Center for Special Education Research, Institute of Education Sciences. U.S. Department of Education. Summer Research Training Institute. Single-Case Intervention Research Design and Analysis.

2022 - National Center for Education Research, Institute of Education Sciences. U.S. Department of Education. Summer Research Training Institute. Cluster-Randomized Trials.

2022 - Spencer Foundation. Single Case Research Design Conference.

2020-2021 - Pre-doctoral Fellowship. Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities. Association of University Centers on Disabilities.

2023 - Emerging Special Educators of Color Leadership Travel Award for Career Professionals. Council for Exceptional Children. 

2022 - Chancellor鈥檚 Student Service Award. University of Illinois Chicago.

2022 - Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring Award. University of Illinois Chicago.

2021 - Award for Graduate Research. University of Illinois Chicago.

2021 - Dissertation and Thesis Award. University of Illinois Chicago.

Google Scholar:
ResearchGate:

2025-29 - Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education. H325D240048. ($2,494,119.00) Project SUSTAIN: Preparing Leaders with Expertise Promoting the Uptake, Implementation, and Sustainability of Evidence-Based Practices in Special Education. (Role: Co-PI/Co-Director; PI: Jason Chow; Co-PIs: Jade Wexler, Jennifer Ledford, Kristen Granger)

2024-25 Do Good Campus Fund ($50,000) 糖心少女 School of Public Policy Promoting Meaningful Interaction and Social Engagement for Asian American Autistic Youth, Parents, and 糖心少女Students. (Role: PI)

2024-25 Research Practice Partnership Grant ($20,000) 糖心少女 College of Education Office of the Dean Supporting Early Intervention Providers as Supporters of Early Language, Social, and Behavior Development for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children With or At Risk for Developmental Disabilities (SUCCEED). (Role: PI)

2024-25 Do Good Impact Digital Equity Internship Grant ($3,300) 糖心少女 School of Public Policy Promoting Meaningful Interaction and Social Engagement for Asian American Autistic Youth. (Role: PI)

2023-24 - Dean鈥檚 Research Initiative ($19,463), College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, 糖心少女 College Park. Promoting Autistic Inclusion and Representation (PAIR) in STEM (Role: Co-I; PI: Jennifer Wessel; Co-Is: Elizabeth Redcay, Kathryn Dow-Burger,  Shevaun Lewis)

2023-24 - Faculty-Student Research Award ($10,000). Graduate School, 糖心少女 College Park. Community-based program for Asian American children with developmental delays or disabilities and their caregivers (Role: PI; Co-Is: Kate Lu & Ariel La)

2022-23 - Support Program for Advancing Research and Collaboration ($15,000). College of Education, 糖心少女 College Park. Culturally adapted interventions for Korean American children with a diagnosis or prognosis of autism. (Role: PI; Co-PIs: James Lee & Daniel Kwak)

2021-22 - Public Awareness Grant ($2,500). Society of the Advancement of Behavior Analysis. Online module for Korean parents of children with autism. (Role: Co-PI; PI: Sunyoung Kim; Co-PI: Emily Gregori)

2021-22 - Award for Graduate Research ($900). Graduate College, University of Illinois Chicago. Virtual literacy instruction for autistic preschoolers. (Role: PI; Co-PI: Sunyoung Kim)

2020-22 - Dissertation and Thesis Award ($500). College of Education, University of Illinois Chicago. Sibling-implemented Enhanced Milieu Teaching. (Role: PI)

2020-21 - Albin & Young Award ($1,000). College of Education, University of Illinois Chicago.  Effects of Enhanced Milieu Teaching and book reading on word approximations of young children with language delay. (Role: PI)

2019-20 - Dean鈥檚 Office Collaborative Community Grant Award ($5,000). College of Education, University of Illinois Chicago. Online literacy program for young Korean dual language learners. (Role: Co-PI; PI: Sunyoung Kim)

2018-19 - Dean鈥檚 Office Collaborative Community Grant Award ($5,000). College of Education, University of Illinois Chicago. Early literacy summer program for Korean immigrant pre-schoolers. (Role: PI; Co-PI: Sunyoung Kim)

EDSP 211 Introduction to Special Education

EDSP 416/616 Reading and Writing Instruction in Special Education I

EDSP 443 Language and Literacy Acquisition in Children with Disabilities

Autism, Family, Culture, and Communication Education Lab