Jeffrey Chan, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Special Education

Department

Special and Early Education (SEED)

Education:

  • Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin, Special Education (Autism & Developmental Disabilities)
  • M.A., The University of Texas at Austin, Special Education (Autism & Developmental Disabilities)
  • B.A., University of California, Los Angeles, Psychology

Interests

Dr. Jeff Chan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Special and Early Education at Northern Illinois University. His professional experiences include delivering intensive behavioral intervention for children with autism, working with students with severe developmental disabilities in elementary and secondary school settings, and supporting adults with developmental disabilities in employment settings. Dr. Chan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of California, Los Angeles and, upon graduation, worked closely with Dr. Ivar Lovaas, a world-renowned innovator in the field of autism treatment. During this time, Dr. Chan conducted research with young children with autism and began teaching college-level courses on the topic of behavioral intervention. He also relished in the opportunity to work as an instructor with children with autism aged 2-12 in home and school settings.

Dr. Chan then went on to earn Masters of the Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Special Education at The University of Texas at Austin, specializing in autism and developmental disabilities. While in Austin, Dr. Chan continued to work with children with disabilities. He served as a behavior specialist at The Odyssey School, a private school for middle and high school students with learning disabilities, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Asperger Syndrome. Dr. Chan's current research interests include using mobile technologies (iPods, tablet computers) to teach functional life skills and leisure skills to individuals with developmental disabilities. In his free time, Dr. Chan enjoys spending time with his wife and four young children, playing guitar, and watching movies.

Research Interests

  • Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Leisure and recreation skills for adults with developmental disabilities
  • Visual based instruction
  • Mobile technologies
  • Evidence based practices for individuals with autism

Courses Taught

  • SESE 320: Disability in Film
  • SESE 460: Interventions for Individuals with Autism and Developmental Disabilities
  • SESE 692 Seminar in Evidenced-Based Practices in Special Education: Single-Case Research Methods
  • SESE 417 Positive Behavior Support and Classroom Management for Special Educators
  • SESE 561 Methods for Teaching Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Recent Publications

Canella-Malone, H., Jimenez, E., & Chan, J. M.(2017). Comparing self-directed video prompting to in vivo instruction in postsecondary students with moderate intellectual disabilities. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 63(4), 211-220.

Aguilar, J. M., Chan, J. M., White, P. J., & Fragale, C. (2017). Assessment of the language preferences of five children with autism from Spanish-speaking homes. Journal of Behavioral Education, 26(4), 334-347.

 

Jeffrey Chan

Contact

(815) 753-8633
jeffchan@niu.edu
Gabel 162G