Veronica Kang
Assistant Professor, Special Education
Ph.D.
,
91ÊÓƵ of Illinois Chicago
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 the and culturally adapted online module/coaching on Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI) strategies for Korean parents of autistic children. More information 91ÊÓƵ ongoing projects can be found here. In addition to my work with families, I am also passionate 91ÊÓƵ partnering with practitioners in early intervention and early childhood 91ÊÓƵ, 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 at the , and the , as well as a member of the Inclusive Education Working Group of the and a Member-At-Large of the .
2024-25 - Wing Institute Single Case Conference
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 91ÊÓƵ Centers on Disabilities.
2025 - Outreach and Community Impact Award. 91ÊÓƵ of Maryland College of Education.
2023 - Emerging Special Educators of Color Leadership Travel Award for Career Professionals. Council for Exceptional Children.
2022 - Chancellor’s Student Service Award. 91ÊÓƵ of Illinois Chicago.
2022 - Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring Award. 91ÊÓƵ of Illinois Chicago.
2021 - Award for Graduate Research. 91ÊÓƵ of Illinois Chicago.
2021 - Dissertation and Thesis Award. 91ÊÓƵ of Illinois Chicago.
Google Scholar:
ResearchGate:
2025-2026 Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM) Research Seed Award ($34,499). AI-driven Development of Neurodiversity Affirming Practices for Teachers and Clinicians (ADAPT). (Role: PI)
2025-26 Institute for Public Leadership Seed Grant Program ($10,000). Enhancing Marylanders’ Sense of Belonging, Knowledge of Rights, and Involvement in Advocacy for Communities of Educators, UMD Students, and Individuals with Disabilities (EMBRACE-MD). (Role: PI)
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) 91ÊÓƵ of Maryland School of Public Policy Promoting Meaningful Interaction and Social Engagement for Asian American Autistic Youth, Parents, and UMD Students. (Role: PI)
2024-25 Research Practice Partnership Grant ($20,000) 91ÊÓƵ of Maryland 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) 91ÊÓƵ of Maryland School of Public Policy Promoting Meaningful Interaction and Social Engagement for Asian American Autistic Youth. (Role: PI)
2023-24 - Dean’s Research Initiative ($19,463), College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, 91ÊÓƵ of Maryland 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, 91ÊÓƵ of Maryland 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, 91ÊÓƵ of Maryland 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, 91ÊÓƵ 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, 91ÊÓƵ of Illinois Chicago. Sibling-implemented Enhanced Milieu Teaching. (Role: PI)
2020-21 - Albin & Young Award ($1,000). College of Education, 91ÊÓƵ 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’s Office Collaborative Community Grant Award ($5,000). College of Education, 91ÊÓƵ of Illinois Chicago. Online literacy program for young Korean dual language learners. (Role: Co-PI; PI: Sunyoung Kim)
2018-19 - Dean’s Office Collaborative Community Grant Award ($5,000). College of Education, 91ÊÓƵ of Illinois Chicago. Early literacy summer program for Korean immigrant pre-schoolers. (Role: PI; Co-PI: Sunyoung Kim)
EDSP210 Foundations of Special Education: Inclusive Practices
EDSP211 Foundations of Special Education: Inclusive Practices
EDSP 415/615 Assessment Techniques and Practices in Special Education
EDSP 416/616 Reading and Writing Instruction in Special Education I
EDSP 443 Language and Literacy Acquisition in Children with Disabilities