Research and Announcements

NASP 2009

Drs. Klose and Plotts presented a poster at NASP on teacher and student evaluations of the consultation experience. Pictured (L to R) are Texas State University school psychology graduates John Davis and Ashley Arnold, Dr. Cynthia Plotts, current intern Vera Johnston, Dr. Laurie Klose, and current intern Marissa Ximenez.

Dr. Laurie Klose elected as TASP President Elect

Texas State University-San Marcos Assistant Professor Dr. Laurie Klose has been elected to the office of President Elect of the Texas Association of School Psychologists (TASP). Dr. Klose has served on the board as the Trainers representative. She brings a great deal of experience and energy to the organization and will work hard to help school psychology shine across the state and beyond.

Pictured at left are Dr. Klose with Steven Prater (Treasurer), Maureen Hicks (Area IV representative), Kelly Anderson (Government and Professional Relations Chair), Ashley Arnold (Conference Chair), and Andrea Dennison (Webmaster).

Dr. Jon Lasser awarded "Outstanding Doctoral School Psychologist"

At the annual meeting of the Texas Association of School Psychologists, Texas State University faculty member Jon Lasser was named the Outstanding Doctoral Level School Psychologist. His award was presented to him by board member and Texas State graduate Maureen Hicks.

School Psychology Program Replaces Master of Arts (MA) with Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) degree

The School Psychology Program is pleased to announce that out request to replace our MA with the SSP degree was approved by the Texas Higher Education Corrdinating Board. In December of 2008 the University will award its first SSP degrees.

Student accomplishments

Sara Whelan was named Outstanding Graduate Student for the the Texas Association of School Psychology Students (2007).

Maureen Hicks was named Outstanding Graduate Student for the College of Education (2007) and for the Texas Association of School Psychology Students (2006).

Scholarship and research

Recent faculty publications:

Lasser, J., & Corley, K. (2008). Constructing Normalcy: A Qualitative Study of Parenting Children with Asperger’s Disorder. Educational Psychology in Practice. Refereed.

Plotts, C., Lasser, J., Prater, S. (2008). Exploring sandplay therapy: Application to individuals with traumatic brain injury. International Journal of Play Therapy, 17, 138-153. Refereed

Dr. Cynthia Plotts, in collaboration with Drs. Gail Ryser and Larry Price, received a grant from the TX Dept. of Health Services in conjunction with TX Brain Injury Association, to: 1)explore the feasibility of establishing a TBI Registry in Texas; and 2)to look a practices for transitioning children and teens who sustain a TBI back into the public schools.

Texas State School Psychology Program faculty and students will make the following presentations at NASP this year:

CARES: A Model for Autism Assessment, Intervention, and Research and the authors are Samantha, Meredith McLeroy, Jaclyn Perez, Cynthia Plotts.

Assessing Student Motivational Orientation: Implications for Classroom Performance by Laurie Klose

Investigation of the Validity and Reliability of Autism Diagnostic Measures by Jaclyn Perez, Laurie Klose, Cynthia Plotts, Samantha Frankel, Meredith McLeroy, and Sara Whelan.

CARES Clinic

The Clinic For Autism Research, Evaluation, and Support (CARES)