Ellin Siegel directs the graduate training program in the area of Severe Disabilities at UNL and co-directs the Augmentative and Alternative Communication Center at Barkley Memorial Center. Her courses include educational planning, methods, and assessment ofindividuals who have autism, deaf-blindness, sensory, health, and/or physical impairments, multiple disabilities, or mental retardation that requires extensive to pervasive educational supports. Her professional emphasis is the enhancement of educational practice that contributes to the quality of life for persons with severe disabilities and the people who work and live with these individuals. She conducts research on AAC-communication, choice-making and portfolio assessment. Another area of interest is the development of communicative competence of learners with disabilities who do not talk. She oversees research exploring Dr. Siegel received the 1996, Distinguished Researcher Award from the Nebraska Chapter of the American Association on Mental Retardation. In 2000, she also was recognized by the Autism Society of Nebraska as the outstanding Teacher. She serves as guest reviewer for the Journal of the Association for Severe Handicaps, American Journal on Mental Retardation, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication Journal. She has authored a book on interventions for individuals who use nonsymbolic expressions and is currently working on a second edition. She also has a book in press regarding portfolio assessment. |
