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

Jeff Chan is an associate professor in the Department of Special and Early Education at Northern Illinois University and a board certified behavior analyst. 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. Chan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and, upon graduation, worked closely with Ivar Lovaas, a world-renowned innovator in the field of autism treatment. During this time, 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.

Chan then went on to earn Master 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, Chan continued to work with children with disabilities. Chan's current research interests include using mobile technologies (iPods, tablet computers) to teach recreation and leisure skills to individuals with developmental disabilities. In his free time, Chan enjoys spending time with his wife and four 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 460: Interventions for Individuals with Autism and Developmental Disabilities
• SESE 511: Ethics and Professional Behavior for Behavior Analysts
• SESE 561: Methods for Teaching Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
• SESE 692: Seminar in Evidenced-Based Practices in Special Education: Single-Case Research Methods

Recent Publications

Chan, J. M. (2021). Current and future directions of supporting people with autism spectrum disorder to appropriately speak about preferred topics. Evidence-Based Communication Assessment and Intervention, 15(4), 214-217.

Chan, J. M. (2020). Practical considerations for using noncontingent reinforcement with matched stimulation or response interruption and redirection in school. Evidence-Based Communication Assessment and Intervention, 14(4), 218-222.