Helen MalonePre-service Teacher-Implemented Social Stories ™ Intervention for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in General Education Settings

Abstract

Well, it is hard to believe that I have made it this far. Without a doubt, I could not have been able to do it without the boundless love and support of my wonderful wife, Megan. Had I never met her, I certainly would never have had the courage to pack up my life and move to a new state in order to start graduate school. She has been a constant source of energy and enthusiasm and I hope that she feels that the long hours conducting research, the late nights writing, and the days spent away at conferences have been worth it. I would like to thank my children, James and Lincoln, for giving me a reason to get up every morning (as well as in the middle of the night) and for being the inspiration for me to work more diligently every day. I would also like to thank my mother, for her tireless work dedicated to raising me to be the best person that I can be. None of my academic achievements thus far would have been possible without the guidance and support of my advisor, Mark O’Reilly. I am truly honored to have worked with a man of such distinction and I sincerely thank him for the experiences and opportunities that I have been given because of our association. Everything that I have learned from him in the past five years will be carried with me forever. I would also lik