Education

Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) from University of Virginia      

Kinesiology, focus in Adapted Physical Education; May 2017            

Dissertation: A mixed methods analysis of the effects of a fundamental motor skill intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder

Honors: Linda K. Bunker Scholarship (2016; UVA), APE/A Graduate Student of Year (2017; SHAPE America),  Mary Catherine Ellwein Award (2017, UVA)

Master of Arts (MA) from Western Michigan University                     

Adapted (Special) Physical Education; August, 2011

Thesis: Comparison of physical fitness performance between elementary-age students with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Honor: Nominated for Golden Key International Honor Society (2010)

Bachelor of Science (BA) from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor                         

Physical Education, minor: Health & History; May 2009  

 

Current Positions

Assistant Professor, August 2017 - Present

Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, & Recreation, University of North Texas

  • Developed independent, funded research line

  • Taught undergraduate course on the study of movement for individuals with disabilities

  • Directed weekly motor lab for individuals aged 3 to 30 with variety of disabilities

Faculty Liaison, June 2017 - Present

Kristen Farmer Autism Center, University of North Texas

  • Critically analyzed current motor development practices and uptake documents identifying motor skills as an area of need

  • Trained staff on motor assessment and program planning

University Supervisor; January 2014 - May 2017                     

Department of Kinesiology PETE, University of Virginia  

  • Observed undergraduate-level general physical education student teachers in field placements

  • Assessed teaching through systematic observation; providing data driven feedback to students

  • Observed graduate-level adapted physical education students teachers teaching small groups and one-on-one.

Graduate Researcher; August 2013 - May 2017                        

Adapted Physical Education Dept., University of Virginia   

  • Input data and analyzed self-efficacy survey from pre-service physical education students

  • Developed on-going understanding of key concepts within physical education pedagogy

  • Built an understanding of quantitative, SPSS and R Studio, and qualitative, TAMS Analyzer and NVivo, software packages for analyzing and understand different types of data

 

Research 

Research Interests

I am focused on understanding the motor abilities and development characteristics of individuals on the autism spectrum and how the development motor skills impact social and adaptive skill development, as well as physical activity participation across the lifespan. Through this research, I strive to develop intervention, assessment and teaching strategies to better improve the quality of physical activity participation of autistic individuals. Additionally, I am interested in the improvement of the current and future socio-environmental barriers to physical activity faced by autistic individuals and their families.

Current Research

  • Utilizing a dynamic systems approach to build functional motor skills in children on the autism spectrum.

  • Developing validity of motor skill and physical activity measurements in populations on the autism spectrum.

  • Understanding the effect of motor skills on adaptive behavior and social skills of youth on the autism spectrum.

  • Exploring the perceived barriers to physical activity described by autistic adults, as well as family members and caregivers, and strategies to improve engagement.

  • Exploring social media use in autistic populations regarding physical activity.

Publications - Peer Reviewed

* Denotes graduate student

  1. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., Block, M. E., *Zhang, X., & *Strehli, I. (Under Review). Common modification to standardized gross motor assessments for populations on the autism spectrum. Submitted to Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly on January 2018.

  2. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., Kelly, L. E., & Block, M. E. (Under Review). The effect of task modifications on the gross motor performance of boys on the autism spectrum. Submitted to the Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities on November 2018.

  3. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., Block, M. E., & MacDonald, M. (Under Review). Including children on the autism spectrum in research: Strategies to navigate the gray area of informed consent. Submitted to International Journal of Kinesiology in Higher Education on September 2018.

  4. Colombo-Dougovito, A.M., & Lee, Ji. (Under Review). A systematic review of social skills common to physical activity-based interventions for individuals on the autism spectrum. Submitted to Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities on September 2018.

  5. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M. (in press). Understanding parents: Designing quality interviews to elicit in-depth responses from parents of children with disabilities. PALAESTRA.

  6. Blagrave, A. J., & Colombo-Dougovito, A. M. (2019). Community barriers to physical activity for families with a child with autism spectrum disorder. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

  7. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., & Block, M. E. (2019). Fundamental motor skill interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A literature review.  Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities. DOI: 10.1007/s40489-019-00161-2

  8. Healy, S., Colombo-Dougovito, A., Judge, J., Kwon, E., Strehli, I., & Block, M. (2017). A practical guide to the development of an online course in adapted physical education. PALAESTRA, 31(2), 48-54.

  9. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., & Reeve, R. E. (2017). Exploring the interaction of motor and social skills with autism severity using the SFARI dataset. Perceptual and Motor Skill, 124(2), 413-424.

  10. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M. (2017). Exploring the effect of gender and disability on gross motor performance in kindergarten children. The Physical Educator, 74(2), 183-197. 

  11. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M. (2017). The roll of dynamic systems theory in motor development research: How does theory inform practice and what are the implications for autism spectrum disorder? International Journal on Disability and Human Development, 16(2), 141-156. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijdhd-2016-0015

  12. Chen, W., Zhu, W., Mason, S., Hammond-Bennett, A., & Colombo-Dougovito, A. (2016). Effectiveness of quality physical education in improving students’ manipulative skill competency. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 5(2), 231-238.

  13. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., & Block, M. (2016). Make task constraints work for you: Teaching object control skills to students with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 87(1), 32-37. 

  14. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M. (2015). “Try to do the best you can”: How pre-service APE specialists experience teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. International Journal of Special Education, 30(3), 160-176.

  15. Wilson, W. J., & Colombo-Dougovito, A. (2015). Inclusive and effective adapted physical education: Meeting the needs of each student. Strategies, 28(4), 50-52. 

  16. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M. (2015). Successful intervention strategies for autism spectrum disorder and their use for the development of motor skills in physical education. PALAESTRA, 29(2), 34-41.

  17. Colombo-Dougovito, A. (2013). Comparison of physical fitness performance between elementary-age students with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The Physical Educator, 70(3), 262-280.

Manuscripts in preparation

  1. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., Kelly, L. E., & Bishop, J. (Preparation of Draft). A pilot investigation of potential modifications to gross motor assessment for children with autism spectrum disorder. Plan to submit to Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities.

  2. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., Healy, S., & Block, M. E. (Preparation of Draft). Dynamic systems approach to building motor skills in children on the autism spectrum. Plan to submit to Autism.

  3. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., Blagrave, A. J., & Block, M. E. (Preparation of Draft). Family perspectives of autistic child behaviors during a fundamental motor skills intervention. Plan to submit to Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

  4. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., Dillon, S., & Block, M. E. (Preparation of Draft). Mixed methods analysis of a fundamental motor skill intervention for children on the autism spectrum. Plan to submit to the Journal of Mixed Methods Research.

  5. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M. (Preparation of Draft). Make motor learning more accessible for children on the autism spectrum through task modifications. Plan to submit to Journal of Teaching in Physical Education.

book chapters

  1. Kelly, L. E., Block, M., & Colombo-Dougovito, A. (Preparation of Draft). Physical education. In Kauffman, J. M., Hallahan, D. P., & Pullen, P. C. (Eds.), Handbook of Special Education (2nd ed.),

Invited presentation

  1. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M. (2018, Sept.). Task Modification to effectively build gross motor skills in autistic youth. Paper presented at the Northern California Autism Symposium, Chico, CA.

  2. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M. (2018, July). Inclusion of autistic voices: Strategies to navigate the grey area of informed consent. Paper presented as a part of a panel at the 9th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics and the Affiliated Conferences, Orlando, FL.

Presentations - interNational

  1. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., Blagrave, A. J., & Healy, S. (2019, June). Lifetime physical activity experiences of autistic adults: A grounded theory study. Paper presented at the 2019 International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA), Charlottesville, VA. Abstract submitted.

  2. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., Block, M. E., Zhang, X., & Strehli, I. (2019, June). Common modifications for youth on the autism spectrum during motor and physical fitness assessment. Paper presented at the 2019 International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA), Charlottesville, VA. Abstract submitted.

  3. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., Blagrave, A. J., & Vanderbom, K. (2019, June). Participatory research: Improving adapted physical activity outcomes by including key stakeholders. Building session presented at the 2019 International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA), Charlottesville, VA. Abstract submitted.

  4. Blagrave, A., Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., & Healy, S. (2019, May). A New Model in Understanding Adult Physical Activity Participation. Paper presented at the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) 2019 annual meeting, Montreal, Canada. Abstract submitted.

  5. Blagrave, A., & Colombo-Dougovito, A. M. (2019, March). Experiences participating in community physical activity by families who have an autistic child: Findings and recommendations. Poster presented at the 2019 Pac Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity, Manoa, Hawaii. Abstract accepted.

  6. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., & Block, M. E. (2018, August). A mixed methods analysis of a fundamental motor skill intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder. Paper presented at the MMIRA International Conference 2018, Vienna, Austria.

  7. Colombo-Dougovito, A. & Block, M. E. (2018, May). A fundamental motor skill intervention using a dynamic systems approach. Paper presented at the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) 2018 annual meeting, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

  8. Colombo-Dougovito, A., & Block, M. E. (2017, June). Task modifications to improve motor performance in children with ASD: A pilot study using a dynamic systems approach. Paper presented at the International Symposium for Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA) biannual conference, Daegu City, South Korea.

  9. Blagrave, A. J., & Colombo-Dougovito, A. (2017, May). Facilitators and barriers to physical activity in the community in families with children who have autism spectrum disorder. Poster presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research, San Francisco, CA.

  10. Colombo-Dougovito, A., & Block, M. E. (2016, September). Parent perceptions of the physical ability of children with ASD: An excerpt from a mixed methods dissertation of a FMS intervention. Paper presented at the North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (NAFAPA) biannual conference, Alberta, Canada.

  11. Colombo-Dougovito, A., & Kelly, L. E. (2016, September). When we assess, do they understand? A pilot study to make assessments more accessible for children with ASD. Paper presented at the North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (NAFAPA) biannual conference. Alberta, Canada.

  12. Colombo-Dougovito, A., & Reeve, R. (2016, May). Analyzing how autism severity affects motor and social skills: An exploration using the SFARI Base dataset. Poster presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), Baltimore, MD.

  13. Colombo-Dougovito, A. (2014, October). Preservice adapted physical education teacher challenges when teaching motor skills to children with autism spectrum disorder. Poster presented at the North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (NAFAPA) biannual conference, Ann Arbor, MI.

  14. Colombo-Dougovito, A. (2014, October). Effect of gender and disability on gross motor performance in kindergarten children. Poster presented at the North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (NAFAPA) biannual conference, Ann Arbor, MI.

presentations - national

  1. Blagrave, A. J., & Colombo-Dougovito, A. M. (2018, November). Physical activity experiences of autistic adults. Paper presented at the 47th National Adapted Physical Education (APE) Conference (NAPEC), San Diego, CA.

  2. Bishop, J., & Colombo-Dougovito, A. M. (2018, October). Measurement of physical activity of young adults on the autism spectrum. Paper presented at the North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity 2018 bi-annual meeting, Corvallis, OR.

  3. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., & Lee. Ji. (2018, October). A systematic review of social skills common to physical activity-based interventions for individuals on the autism spectrum. Paper presented at the North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity 2018 bi-annual meeting, Corvallis, OR.

  4. Blagrave, A. J., & Colombo-Dougovito, A. M. (2018, October). Barriers to physical activity participation in the community for families with a child on the autism spectrum. Paper presented at the North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity 2018 bi-annual meeting, Corvallis, OR.

  5. Colombo-Dougovito, A., & Blagrave, A (2018, July). “Nothing about us, without us": A building session for using participatory design frameworks in adapted physical activity research. Paper presented at the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEID) annual meeting, Arlington, VA.

  6. *Lee, Jo., Colombo-Dougovito, A., & Zhang, T. (2018, July). Examining physical activity in children on the autism spectrum from service provider’s perspective. Paper presented in the Emerging Scholars Symposium at the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEID) annual meeting, Arlington, VA.

  7. Colombo-Dougovito, A. (2017, March). Task modifications to improve motor performance in children with ASD. Paper presented at SHAPE America annual national convention, Boston, MA.

  8. Colombo-Dougovito, A. M., Kelly, L. E., & Block, M. E. (2016, August). The effect of task modifications on fundamental motor skills of children with ASD: Preliminary results of a pilot study. Paper presented in the Emerging Scholars Symposium at the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEID) annual meeting, Tyson’s Corner, VA.

  9. Colombo-Dougovito, A., Alexander, M., Douglas, M., Healy, S., & O’Neil, K. (2016, April). Practical strategies to successfully assess children with autism spectrum disorder. Paper presented at SHAPE America annual national convention, Minneapolis, MN.

  10. Colombo-Dougovito, A. & Kelly, L. (2016, April). Developing modifications for assessment in children with ASD: Preliminary Results. Paper presented at SHAPE America annual national convention, Minneapolis, MN.

  11. Colombo-Dougovito, A., & Block, M. (2016, February). Making task constraints work for you: Teaching motor skills to children with autism spectrum disorder. Paper presented at SHAPE America - Southern District annual convention, Williamsburg, VA.

  12. Colombo-Dougovito, A. (2015, July). Utilizing a dynamic systems approach to building functional motor skills in children with ASD. Paper presented in the Emerging Scholars Symposium at the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEID) annual meeting, Tyson’s Corner, VA.

  13. Healy, S., & Colombo-Dougovito, A. (2015, March). Evaluating fidelity in online professional development for physical educators. Paper presented at SHAPE America annual national conference, Seattle, WA.

  14. Colombo-Dougovito, A. (2014, June). Developing a protocol for use of the Test of Gross Motor Development, TGMD-2, with children with autism spectrum disorder. Paper presented in the Emerging Scholars Symposium at the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEID) annual conference, Tyson’s Corner, VA.

  15. Colombo-Dougovito, A. (2013, April). Comparison of fitness performance between children with and without ADHD. Poster presented at the AAHPERD National Convention Poster Session, Charlotte, NC.

Presentations - State & regional

  1. Colombo-Dougovito, A. (2017, November). Improving motor performance in children with ASD using task modifications. Paper presented at Texas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance’s 94th Annual Conference, Fort Worth, TX.

  2. Colombo-Dougovito, A. (2017, July). Importance of gross motor skill programming for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and strategies to be effective. Paper presented at the 9th Annual Adventures in Autism Intervention and Research Conference, Denton, TX. 

  3. Colombo-Dougovito, A. (2016, November). Designing Purposeful Task Modification to Improve the Success of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in P.E. Paper presented at VAHPERD annual conference, Midlothian, VA.

  4. Colombo-Dougovito, A. (2016, February). The roll of dynamic systems theory in motor development research: How does theory inform practice and what are the implications for autism spectrum disorder? At Curry Research Conference, Charlottesville, VA. 

  5. Colombo-Dougovito, A., Healy, S., Wilson, J., & Jackson, T. (2015, March). Building a protocol for utilizing the TGMD-3 with children with autism spectrum disorder: Preliminary results. Paper presented at the Curry Research Conference, Charlottesville, VA.

  6. Colombo-Dougovito, A. & Healy, S. (2014, November). Utilizing evidence-based practices to teach motor skills to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Paper presented at VAHPERD annual conference, Virginia Beach, VA.

  7. Colombo-Dougovito, A. (2014, February). Evidence-based autism intervention strategies and their potential to develop motor skills. Paper presented at the Curry Research Conference, Charlottesville, VA.

  8. Jackson, T., Healy, S., Hwan Koh, Y., Colombo-Dougovito, A., Judge, J, and Wang, B.  (2014, February). Comparing selected international K-12 physical education programs. Poster presented at Curry Research Conference, Charlottesville, VA.

  9. Colombo-Dougovito, A., & Healy, S. (2013, October). Theory to Practice: inclusive practices for physical education teachers. Paper presented at University of Virginia Curry Cup, Charlottesville, VA.

Research support (funded)

Association for Applied Sport Psychology Student SEED Fund ($500) | Lee (PI) | 2018-2019

  • Funding for student project, “Examining service providers’ perspectives toward physical activity in children on the autism spectrum”

  • Role: Faculty Advisor

University of North Texas SEED Fund ($7,150) | Colombo-Dougovito (PI) | 2018

  • Internal funding for project, “Physical activity experiences of autistic adults”

  • Role: Principal Investigator

Curry IDEA Dissertation Grant ($972.50) | Colombo-Dougovito (PI) | 2014-2015  

  • University of Virginia Curry School of Ed. program for Dissertation support

  • Role: Principal Investigator

Golden Key International Honor Society - 2014 Research Grant ($1,000) - P.I. | Colombo-Dougovito (PI) | 2015

  • Pilot study to understand effects of dynamic systems approach on the motor performance of children with ASD

  • Role: Principal Investigator

research support (pending/in-preparation)

NIH R21 ($275,000) | Colombo-Dougovito (PI) | 2019-2021

  • “Lifetime Physical Activity (LifeFit) for autistic adults”

  • Submitting February 2019

  • Role: Principal Investigator

Auburn University Interdisciplinary Internal Grant Program ($28,825) - Consultant | Bishop (PI) | 2019-2021

  • “Objective physical activity and fitness measurement in populations on the autism spectrum.”

  • Submitted October 2018

  • Role: Consultant

Research laboratory experience

Faculty Member in Pediatric Movement & Physical Activity Lab

  • In collaboration with Drs. Tao Zhang and Xiangli Gu (2017-2018) at University of North Texas

  • September 2017 - Present

Graduate Volunteer in Motivation Intervention Design Lab (MIDL)

  • In collaboration with Dr. Chris Hulleman at University of Virginia

  • August 2016 - January 2017

Assistant Researcher in Curriculum and Instruction Lab

  • Under supervision of Dr. Weiyun Chen at University of Michigan

  • July 2012 - January 2013

 

Teaching 

Teaching Interests

Primary: Motor Development, Adapted Physical Education/Activity, Autism

Secondary: Physical Education Pedagogy, Elementary & Secondary Teaching Methods, Measurement and Assessment in Physical Activity

collegiate teaching experience

Instructor of Record (UNT)

  • Movement for Individuals with Disabilities (Formerly “Movement for Special Populations”); Fall 2017/Spring 2018/Fall 2018

Instructor of Record (UVA)

  • CavEd Seminar (Teaching Pedagogy); Fall 2016/Spring 2017

Secondary Instructor; Fall 2015

  • Physical Education for Children with Autism (Online)

Graduate Teaching Assistantship

  • Practicum in Kinesiology; Spring 2016/Fall 2016

  • Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities; Fall 2015

  • Assessment in Kinesiology; Fall 2015

  • Motor Development; Spring 2105/2016

  • Secondary Teaching Methods; Spring 2015

  • Elementary Teaching Methods; Fall 2014

  • Introduction to Kinesiology; Fall 2013/Spring 2014

Invited Lectures

Content Teaching Academy at James Madison University; June 2016

  • Lecture on “Working with Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder”

AutismSpeaks Club at University of Virginia; February 2015

  • Led training seminar on “Working with Individuals on the Spectrum”

Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities at University of Virginia; November 2015

  • Taught undergraduate classes on “Autism Spectrum Disorders” and “Learning Disabilities”

Seminar in APE at University of Virginia; October 2015

  • Led Graduate seminar on “Dynamic Systems and Task Constraints”

Assessment in Kinesiology at University of Virginia; October 2015

  • Taught Graduate classes on “Regression” & “Data Collection”

Motor Development at University of Virginia; March 2015

  • Taught undergraduate classes on “Locomotor Skills” & “Manipulative Skills”

Elementary Teaching Methods at University of Virginia; November 2014

  • Taught undergraduate classes on “Behavior Management Strategies” & “Youth Fitness”

Introduction to Kinesiology at University of Virginia; March 2014

  • Taught undergraduate classes on “Research Introduction” & “Data Collection”

Survey in Autism Spectrum Disorder at University of Virginia; March 2014

  • Taught undergraduate classes and led class discussion on “Evidence-Based Practice” & “Teaching Children with ASD”

Mentored doctoral-level students

 ^ Denotes intended graduation

Noel Jett, PhD (UNT; Committee member), 2018

  • “Radically early college entrants on radically early college entrance: A heuristic exploration” (Proposal: June 2018; Defense: October 2018)

Mentored Masters-level students

Georgina Vint, MS (UNT; Committee chair), ^2019

selected Non-collegiate teaching experience

Lead Facilitator; April 2014 - Present

Poplar Ridge Challenge Course at University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA

Elementary/Middle School PE Teacher & WSI; August 2012 - 2013

Honey Creek Community School in Ann Arbor, MI 

Elementary PE Teacher; August 2011 - May 2012

Alsup Elementary IB World School in Commerce City, CO

Elementary PE Teacher; September 2009 - July 2011 

Lapeer Community Schools in Lapeer, MI

professional development

Connect Learning Grant and Course Development Program, June 2018 - December 2018

University of North Texas, Career Connect

  • Attended 6 week online coursework focused on building better learning outcomes.

  • Incorporated Foliotek and ePortfolio into current course offerings

Tomorrow’s Professor Today; July 2014 - July 2016

University of Virginia, Teaching Resource Center                         

  • Developed course (e.g. syllabus, course outline) through 6-week seminar

  • Attended professional development seminars aimed at further understanding the profession (e.g. grant building)

  • Worked with mentor to foster a better understand of expectations of profession

 

ACADEMIC, PROFESSIONAL, & PERSONAL SERVICE  

Leadership

Chair of Membership Committee - National Consortium for PE for Individuals with Disabilities; 2018 - 2019

Member-at-large - National Consortium for PE for Individuals with Disabilities; 2017 - 2019

Student Rep - North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity; 2016 - 2018

Professional Organization Service

Moderator - NAFAPA Annual Conference; 2018

Moderator - NCPEID Annual Conference; 2018

Member - Annual Convention Program Committee, SHAPE America'; 2017 - 2019

Reviewer - Proposal abstracts, NCPEID; 2018

Reviewer - Proposal abstracts, NAFAPA; 2018

Reviewer - Proposal abstracts, SHAPE America; 2014 - 2018

University Service  

Member -KHPR Activity Program (Elected, UNT); 2018 - 2021

Member -KHPR Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (Elected, UNT); 2018 - 2020

Member -KHPR Scholarship Committee (Elected, UNT); 2017 - 2020

Affiliate Mentor- Summer Undergraduate Research Program (UVA); 2016

Chair, Proposal Sub-Committee,Curry Research Council (UVA); 2014 - 2016

Moderator,Curry Research Conference (UVA); 2014

Professional Membership

Mixed Methods International Research Association (MMIRA); 2017 - Present

National Consortium of PE for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEID); 2014 - Present

National Association for Adapted Physical Activity (NAFAPA); 2014 - Present

International Society for Autism Research (INSAR); 2014 - Present

SHAPE America, formerly AAHPERD; 2009 - Present

Texas Association for Health, Phys Ed, Recreation, and Dance (TAHPERD); 2017 - Present

Virginia Association for Health, Phys Ed, Recreation, and Dance (VAHPERD); 2015 - 2017

editoral board

PALAESTRA; 2017 - Present

guest reviewer

Autism Journal; 2018

Exceptional Children; 2018

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders; 2018

Perceptual and Motor Skills; 2018

Journal of Teaching in Physical Education; 2018

Research in Developmental Disabilities; 2017, 2018

Journal of Motor Learning and Development; 2017

British Journal of Visual Impairments; 2016

Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly; 2014 - 2018

PALAESTRA; 2014 - 2018

personal service - volunteering

Team Up! with Autism Speaks; 2014

Special Olympics - Swimming; 2014

AutismSpeaks Halloween Carnival; 2013

Move2Health.org; 2013