Purdue Disabilities Experts

Attention deficit disorder John R. Burgess Associate professor, foods and nutrition (765) 494-8239 E-mail: burgessj@cfs.purdue.edu Researches antioxidant nutrients and the effect of essential fatty acids on behavior. Found an apparent tie between a lack of omega-3 fatty acids and behavior problems in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Betsy Hoza Associate professor, psychological science (765) 494-6996 E-mail: blaze@psych.purdue.edu Research interests include motivation and achievement in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Also studies peer relations, loneliness and self-concept in school-age children, and the treatment of ADHD. Sydney S. Zentall Professor, special education and psychology (765) 494-7347 E-mail: zentall@purdue.edu Nationally recognized authority on hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder. Research focuses on seriously emotionally handicapped children, particularly those who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Disabilities Paula J. Micka Assistant dean of students Coordinator, Adaptive Programs (765) 494-1245/494-1247 E-mail: pjmicka@odos.purdue.edu Oversees programs for students with disabilities attending Purdue's West Lafayette campus. Services include testing students for possible learning disabilities, helping students and faculty arrange reasonable accommodations, and student counseling. Worked for 10 years at Crossroads Rehabilitation Center in Indianapolis. Is a certified rehabilitation counselor. Disabilities and children Karen E. Diamond Associate professor, childhood development and family studies Director, Child Development Laboratory (765) 494-0942 E-mail: diamondk@cfs.purdue.edu Is researching children's understanding of disabilities and the inclusion of children with disabilities in regular education programs. Has expertise in early childhood education and early childhood special education. Is associate editor for Early Childhood Research Quarterly and for Occupational Therapy Journal of Research. On sabbatical until January 1999. Sidney M. Moon Associate professor, educational psychology Director, Gifted Education Resource Institute (765) 494-7301 E-mail: sidney@purdue.edu Research has focused on development and evaluation of programs for talented students; the characteristics of gifted children who also have learning disabilities or attention deficit disorder; and talent development across the lifespan. Thomas E. Scruggs Professor, special education (765) 494-0870 E-mail: scruggs@purdue.edu Nationally recognized expert in learning disabilities. Studies learning and memory of children with mild disabilities, effective teaching strategies and effective mainstreaming strategies. Is co-editor of the journal Advances in Learning and Behavioral Disabilities. Sydney S. Zentall For biography, see "Attention deficit disorder" Disabilities and farming Barry L. Delks Director, Breaking New Ground Resource Center (765) 494-1221 E-mail: delks@ecn.purdue.edu Directs the Breaking New Ground Resource Center, which offers support, assistance and other resources to disabled farmers and their families. William E. Field Professor and Extension safety specialist, agricultural engineering (765) 494-1191 E-mail: field@ecn.purdue.edu Is a nationally known researcher of farm-related injuries and prevention strategies. Language disorders Jackson T. Gandour Professor, audiology and speech sciences (765) 494-3821 E-mail: gandour@purdue.edu Studies the linguistic aspects of speech after brain damage. Researched specifically the Thai language. Ellen M. Kelly Associate professor, speech language pathology (765) 494-3816 E-mail: emkelly@purdue.edu Is an expert on the onset and development of childhood stuttering. Oversees the treatment of people who stutter and provides therapy to children who stutter and their families. Also looks at parent-child conversational interaction. Laurence B. Leonard Rachel E. Stark Distinguished Professor of Audiology and Speech Sciences (765) 494-3794 E-mail: xdxl@purdue.edu Is researching lexical factors in specific language impairment (SLI) and word-finding problems in language-disordered children. Studies children who have significant problems in language ability, yet exhibit normal hearing and intellectual functioning with no clear evidence of neurological impairment. Has assembled a group of co-investigators in several countries to examine profiles of linguistic strengths and weaknesses that children with SLI have in acquiring languages such as Italian, Hebrew, Swedish, Spanish and English. Learning disabilities Margo A. Mastropieri Professor, special education (765) 494-7346 E-mail: margo@purdue.edu Nationally recognized authority on learning disabilities. Research focuses on learning and memory of students with mild disabilities, as well as effective teaching and mainstreaming strategies. Is co-editor of the journal Advances in Learning and Behavioral Disabilities and is on editorial boards of seven other journals on special education and educational psychology. Paula J. Micka For biography, see "Disabilities" Sidney M. Moon For biography, see "Disabilities and children" Thomas E. Scruggs For biography, see "Disabilities and children" Sarah J. Templin Program specialist, learning disabilities, Dean of Students (765) 494-0852 E-mail: sjtemp@delta.reg.purdue.edu Works with college students with learning disabilities. Sydney S. Zentall For biography, see "Attention deficit disorder" Paralysis Richard B. Borgens Professor, developmental anatomy, veterinary medicine Director, Center for Paralysis Research, School of Veterinary Medicine (765) 494-7600 E-mail: hae@vet.vet.purdue.edu Is a National Paraplegia Foundation Fellow (one of two awarded, 1977-80, Yale University) and recipient of Spinal Cord Society Annual Research Medal (1986). Has published numerous papers on limb and nerve regeneration/healing and bioelectricity. James P. Toombs Professor, small-animal orthopedics and neurosurgery Clinical director, Center for Paralysis Research, School of Veterinary Medicine (765) 494-1137 E-mail: jpt@vet.purdue.edu Is a board-certified veterinary surgeon specializing in small-animal orthopedics and neurosurgery. Has conducted research and published in journals and textbooks in these two areas. Sign language Diane K. Brentari Associate professor, linguistics Director, American Sign Language Program (765) 494-9883 E-mail: brentari@omni.cc.purdue.edu Is an expert on American Sign Language. Has published numerous articles and book chapters on sign language and linguistics. Has written upcoming book entitled "A Prosodic Model of Sign Language Phonology." Taught five years at Gallaudet University, the only undergraduate university for deaf students in the United States. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page