Laura J.Hall
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Professional
| Ph.D., M.S. | Educational Psychology | University of Massachusetts |
| M.A. | Expressive Therapy | Lesley College |
| B.A. | Religion | Rutgers University |
Background
I grew up in New Jersey and where I stayed through college, and afterwards moved to the fields of central Jersey where I could practice riding my bicycle no handed. How fortunate I was to obtain a position at the Princeton Child Development Institute where I worked as an administrative assistant and therapist for children with autism. Enjoying this work focused on children with special needs, I decided I would try to increase these skills along with developing my abilities in the arts and completed a Masters Program at Lesley College of Education in expressive therapy. I also worked as a counselor in an elementary school and as an art therapist for adults in an acute-care psychiatric hospital. Realizing that I was more suited to verbal communication, I returned to university to obtain a Ph.D. I was one of the participating doctoral students in a federally supported program in developmental disabilities at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Here I began to focus on working with families, and obtained a minor in clinical psychology with a focus on families.
The Department of Psychology at UMass had developed an exchange program with the Universite Catholique de Louvain in Belgium. I found my discussions with the exchange students extremely valuable and I came to realize just how much living in one country had limited my perspectives. I decided to complete a post-doctoral year in Louvain. I obtained a certificate in special education from the university but most importantly, I experienced what it is like to be in an unfamiliar culture without the resource of verbal communication I had so strongly come to depend upon. I did learn to speak French and I designed the start of a line of research focussed on social interaction involving children with disabilities.
Following this time in Europe, I could not have predicted that I would apply for, and obtain a position in the Department of Disability Studies at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia. At Deakin University I taught undergraduate and graduate students aiming to be teachers and professionals working with people with disabilities across the life span. Most of my research during this time was conducted in an inclusive elementary school and several preschool programs for children with autism. Now I am in San Diego where there is perpetual summer and where the department, college and university have a focus on multicultural education.
Professional Interests and Activities
In the Department of Special Education I Coordinate the Specialist Credential in Moderate to Severe Disabilities. Along with my colleagues, I am in the process of developing a certification program in autism. My research interests in social interaction and communication, particularly nonverbal forms, continues. Details of current publications in these areas are linked to the text above. A Provist's grant supports my development of a student exchange program between San Diego State University and several universities in Australia. I also remain committed to work with families, which is the focus of a project supported by a research fellowship from the June Burnett Institute and the College of Education. I am also involved in the coordination of an internship program with the largest school district in San Diego to support teachers working towards their moderate to severe or early childhood credentials and most importantly in teaching the future special educators of San Diego and Imperial Counties.
Personal
The hills of San Diego make riding a bicycle no handed a little too dangerous - but they are perfect for the hiking and walking that I enjoy. The landscape of Mission Trails Regional Park, seen from my backyard, provides the perfect opportunity for pleasurable contemplation. Even though I think San Diego a great place to live, I am not truly content unless I am planning, experiencing or returning from travel. There are just too many various, beautiful and stimulating places to visit!