David Cihak, associate professor in the Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education, is team leader for the Special Education Instructional Program. Cihak’s work regards remedying classroom-based problems associated with academic and social/behavioral problems of children and adolescents with severe intellectual disabilities and Autism. He is interested in self-regulation and independent functioning that result in greater competency, community access, and acceptance.
Cihak’s research interests include the use of effective instructional and behavioral strategies, specifically video technologies for improving educational, functional, and social/communicative outcomes for students in classroom and community settings. He has published numerous research articles, chapters, textbook, and monographs regarding the education of individuals with severe intellectual disabilities and Autism. In addition, he serves on the Board of Editors for several peer-review journals and is an associate editor for the Journal of Evidence Based Practices for Schools.
Cihak also is a principal investigator on the development of the postsecondary education program for college students with intellectual disabilities and Autism at UT, called FUTURE.
Recent Publications
Cihak, D. F. (2010). Comparing pictorial and video modeling activity schedules during transitions for students with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 4, 763-771.
Cihak, D. F., Fahrenkrog, C.D., Ayres, K. M., & Smith, C. (2010). The use of video modeling via a video iPod® and a system of least prompts to improve transitional behaviors for students with autism spectrum disorders in the general education classroom. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 12, 103-115.