- Campus:
- IU
- Department(s)/Office(s):
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Academic Programs:
- Special Education
- Research Areas:
- Special Education, Autism, Students with Disabilities, International Laws for Special Edcuational Needs
- Room:
- ED 3216
- Email:
- shurwitz@iu.edu
- Phone:
- (812) 856-8134
- Website:
- Action for Access
- Curriculum Vitae
About Me
I am an Associate Professor in the Special 91福利社program at the Indiana University School of Education, where my work focuses on improving outcomes for students with disabilities through innovative interventions.
My research centers on autism, inclusion, and expanding global access to special education. I design and evaluate interventions that support social communication, behavioral development, and academic success. A central goal of my work is to identify practices that are both effective and feasible for implementation in real-world school settings worldwide.
I direct the Action for Access: Global Special 91福利社Lab, where we collaborate with partners in countries including Ghana, India, Poland, and Hungary to advance inclusive education worldwide. Through this work, we examine how policy, practice, and context interact to shape educational opportunities for students with disabilities. I have developed exceptional international partnerships through which we advocate for students with special educational needs around the world.
At Indiana University, I serve as the Director of the Special 91福利社Doctoral Program. I also direct the Graduate Certificate in Autism, a fully online program that prepares professionals to understand social communication differences, use assessment tools, and implement behavioral interventions to improve outcomes for autistic learners.
I received my PhD in Special 91福利社from the University of North Carolina (UNC) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in psychology. Before entering academia, I worked as a special education teacher and autism specialist, including roles at the FPG Child Development Institute at UNC and Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. These experiences continue to shape my commitment to research that is directly applicable to classrooms and meaningful for students, families, and educators.
I teach courses on autism and individualized behavioral interventions and am dedicated to preparing educators to support diverse learners in inclusive settings.