Megan Kunze, associate director at CBIRT, traveled to Baku, Azerbaijan in late November through the Fulbright Specialist Program to work with Together and Healthy Public Union — a nonprofit school founded by parents of an autistic child to serve children who are excluded from Azerbaijan's public schools. Over roughly two weeks, she led daily staff trainings in applied behavioral analysis (ABA), reviewed student educational plans, observed sessions, and consulted with parents, helping teachers shift from a punitive approach to a more individualized, child-centered model.
Staff at the school reported meaningful results after implementing Kunze's strategies, including reduced challenging behaviors and better student engagement. One notable case involved a 10-year-old girl whose daily multi-hour tantrums decreased significantly after her teachers adjusted her schedule and helped her communicate her needs. Kunze continues to consult with the school biweekly and plans to return to Baku the following year.
See the full article from the University of Oregon here.