Jennifer Stephenson

Dr Jennifer Stephenson is an experienced special educator, teacher educator, consultant and researcher in special education. Her research interests and teaching areas include effective and evidence-based practices in special education, alternative and augmentative communication, teacher education, challenging behaviour, children with autism spectrum disorders and students with high support needs. Her practical experience in special education includes time as a class-room teacher and assistant principal. Jennifer was program co-ordinator for post-graduate special education courses at Macquarie University and program director for special education at the University of Technology before moving to Macquarie. She has provided consultancy and professional learning to schools in NSW and the ACT. She is a member of the Students with Disabilities Advisory Group for ACARA.

Jennifer has over 100 publications in national and international journals covering special education and teacher education. She has been active in the Australian Association of Special Education at both state and national level for over 20 years. She is a consulting editor for Augmentative and Alternative Communication and has reviewed articles for many other national and international special education and teacher education journals. Jennifer has supervised students at research masters and doctoral level. Her previous educational experiences include teaching in high schools, TAFE, and pre-schools.