Module Two Burkhart Center Home TTU Special Education Module One Module Three

About the Authors

Dr. Robin Lock

Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research Co-Director

As an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator in the Special Education program here in the College of Education at Texas Tech University, I have the pleasure of helpign to promote all our certification and degree programs. The Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research is a particular favorite as it brings families and professionals together to work with students with autism spectrum disorders. After earning my Ph.D. in Special Education at the University of Texas at Austin, I have worked in higher education for the past 17 years concentrating on high incidence disabilities. The Burkhart Center has allowed me to expand my horizons and utilize my expertise in personnel preparation to enhance ASD information accessibility. As the Burkhart Project grows, I look forward to promoting Systems of Care and using Wrap-around planning for families and students with ASD to improve service delivery.

Dr. Carol Layton

Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research Co-Director

I am an Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University. I received my B.S. from Hardin-Simmons University, and my Master's degree from Texas Woman's University. My doctorate was awarded from Texas Tech University in 1993. I have had over 28 years of experience in special education as a teacher and as a counselor and/or Educational Diagnostician. Currently I coordinate the program for Educational Diagnosticians at Tech and am priviledged to be Co-Director for the Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research. The Burkhart Center provides education to families and teachers who work and live with children affected by autism. By providing effective education and support through Systems of Care and wrap-around plans this project will impact the quality of life for families and children with autism.

Amanda Bodine, M.Ed.

I graduated from Texas Tech University in May 2003 with my master's degree in Generic Special Education. I am currently working toward my doctorate at Texas Tech. My future plans are to teach special education and practice as an educational diagnostician in the public schools before entering into teaching at the university level.

Rita Finstein, M.Ed.

I graduated from the University of Southern California with a Master's degree in Elementary Education in 1974 while my family was stationed in Taipei, Taiwan. I have certifications in special education, elementary and secondary, math, English, and early childhood. After I retired from teaching after 33 years in 2002, I began work as a research assistant, earned an Educational Diagnostician certificate, and pursued a doctorate in special education from Texas Tech University.

When I am not attending to school requirements, I volunteer for the Lubbock Coalition for Literacy, LifeRun, Bridges Learning Center, and Habitat for Humanity. In my rare free time I enjoy reading and being with my husband, children, and grandchildren.

Fei Yao Yang, M.Ed.

I graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a master's degree in Generic Special Education. I am currently working on my doctorate at Texas Tech University. I am greatly delighted to work for the Burkhart Center during my doctoral study. The Burkhart Center provides a great opportunity for me to be involved with children who have been diagnosed with autism as well as to extend my knowledge in the field of autism education. I wish I could tell you how much I have learned from the past two years. I am truly grateful for the contribution of the Burkhart Center in enhancing the quality of autism education for children with autism and their families as well as for educators.

Rachele Jones

Who am I? I am an autistic female, married to a wonderful husband also on the spectrum, and I have three wonderful children, two with Asperger's and one with Broader Autistic Phenotype. I have been blessed with many friends and students, both in public schools and in the university setting, also on the spectrum. I am an advocate for all individuals on the spectrum and am co-founder of the Spectrum Coalition, a local support group designed for individuals on the spectrum to assist with basic life issues through peer-mentoring with other autistics. I have a BA in Organizational Communication and a MA in Communication Studies. Currently, it appears that I will graduate with my doctorate in Special Education in May 2006 from Texas Tech University . I have spoken at numerous conferences concerning autism spectrum disorders and communication issues and have also created several intervention models to assist myself and other autistics including SAA RED an interpersonal interaction model. As of August 2005, I was hired at Lubbock Christian University as head of the Graduate Special Education program. As the Chief Operating Officer and Liaison for the da Vinci Academy, which is in the beginning stages of creation, my desire to assist my children and other autistic children has driven me to assist in educating all children based on individual strengths and needs through academic, social, and vocational education. I am also on the board of directors for the ASPIE School in Boiceville , NY which is directed by the amazing Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D.

Sarah Hendley, M.Ed.

I graduated from Texas Tech University in December 2004 with a master's degree in Generic Special Education. I am currently working toward my doctorate at Texas Tech in Generic Special Education.

2005 Burkhart Center for Autism Education & Research