Richard A. Price
Assistant Professor of Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis
Special Education,
Educational Studies
Email:
price368@purdue.edu
Phone:
(765) 494-4730
Address:
Steven C. Beering Hall of
Liberal Arts and Education
100 N. University Street
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2098
BRNG 5144
Links:
LinkedInResearchGate Instagram X
About
Dr. Price (he/they) is a white cis-gendered gay scholar with over a decade of experience supporting the transition from school to work for individuals with disabilities/disabled individuals. He holds Master’s degrees in Rehabilitation/Vocational Counseling, Kinesiology – Adaptive Sport, and Applied Behavior Analysis – Autism from Michigan State University, and a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Price is passionate about understanding the diverse identities and experiences of individuals with disabilities/disabled individuals, a commitment shaped by growing up with a family member with a disability and witnessing the systemic shortcomings in including and integrating people with disabilities/disabled people in education and society.
Education
- Ph.D. — Special Education specialization in Transition to Work for Students with Significant Support Needs, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2024)
- M.S. — Kinesiology specialization in Cognitive and Motor Neuroscience, Michigan State University (2019)
- M.A. — Applied Behavior Analysis specialization in Autism, Michigan State University (2018)
- M.A. — Rehabilitation Counseling, Michigan State University (2016)
- B.A. — Kinesiology specialization in Adaptive Sport, Michigan State University (2014)
Professional Certification and Licenses
- Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) 00213530
- Certified Vocational Evaluator (CVE) 00213530
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) 1-18-31991
- Programs for the Educational Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) Social Skills Trainer
- Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Trainee
- Sexuality Educator – Elevatus Training
Career Experience
- 2024 – Present: Assistant Professor of Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis, Educational Studies Department, College of Education Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- 2023-2024: Adjunct Faculty Department of Special Education, Niagara University, NY
- 2023: Adjunct Faculty Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies, Western Michigan University, MI
Awards & Honors
- 2025 Wabash Center Annual Celebration Award Recipient
- 2024 DCDT Travel Scholarship Award Division of Career Development and Transition (DCDT)
- 2023 Fall 2023 List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- 2022 Spring 2022 List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- 2023 Impact Award, Research Live! Competition, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- 2020 Conference Travel Award, College of Education, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- 2020 Special Recognition – Graduate Student Leadership Award, Graduate College, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Professional Affiliations/Memberships
- American Association of Intellectual Disabilities
- Applied Behavior Analysis International
- Association of Professional Behavior Analysts
- Council for Exceptional Children
- Division of Research, Division of Career Development and Transition (and their research committee), Division of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Indiana CEC
- International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals
- TASH
Research & Publications
Dr. Price’s research centers on the transition from school to work for individuals with disabilities/disabled individuals. More specifically, examining the services and supports provided to students who have significant support needs in enhancing their career development. Taking a more nuanced approach in this investigation, Price’s two areas of focus are: 1) Examining the vocational assessments utilized in guiding the career services and supports provided to students who have significant support needs; and 2) Examining the services and supports provided to students who have significant support needs that enhance student self-determination and advocacy as it relates to their career development. Additionally, Price is interested in adaptive sport/dance, ethics and practice in applied behavior analysis, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration, and the intersection of Disability and LGBTQ+ identities.
Selected Publications
- Price, R. A., Brenner, H., Donnelly, N., Li, C., & Ray, A (2025). “A life that feeds her soul.” Caregivers’ perspectives of their youth with significant disabilities transition to employment. Inclusion
- Connor, K. E., Ray, A. B., & Price, R. A. (2024). Educational Leaders’ Insights on PBPD, Implementation, and Sustainability Practices of SRSD, a Writing EBP. Journal of School Leadership, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10526846241292633
- George Strauser, D., Price, R.A., Brehmer, C.E. & Strauser, D.R. (2024). Exploring employer’s successful hiring and retention practices of individuals with disabilities. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 00(0), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/00343552241265319
- Williams, C. S. & Price, R. A. (2024). The case for early transition-planning for students with significant support needs: Implications for policy and practice. Inclusive Practices, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/27324745231218671
- Price, R. A., Martin, M., Folkerts, R., & Haidar, B., S. (2024). The Ethical Landscape of Behavior Analysis Forums on Reddit. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-024-00921-5
- Donnelly, N. & Price, R. A., (2023). Engaging families in special education assessment processes. In Musyoka, M. M. Editor & Shen, G. Editor (Eds.), Meaningful and Active Engagement: IEP, Transition and Technology Integration in Special Education. IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-1384-8
- Price, R. A., Adler, N. & Gilmartin, E. (2023). Invisibly invisible: An LGBTQ+ self-advocate perspective on the anti-LGBTQ+ movement. Inclusive Practices, 2(4), 110-112. https://doi.org/10.1177/27324745231209759
- Price, R. A., Marsh, A. J., Fisher, M. H. (2018). Teaching young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities community-based navigation skills to take public transportation. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 11, 46-50. https://doi:10.1007/s40617-017-0202-z
Current Grants & Funded Research
- Project: Project EVALUATE:1 (Exploring the Vocational Assessment Landscape in Understanding Assessments in Transition Education for Students with Significant Support Needs: A Systematic Assessment Review and Analysis). College of Education Administrative Council, Purdue University. PI: Richard A. Price. 2024-2025
- Seed Funding for Academic Books and Monographs. Proposed Book Title: The Real People of Work: The Experience of Disability and Work. College of Education and Office of Research, Purdue University. Author: Richard A. Price. 2024-2025
- Disability, Arts, and Sports (DARTS), Broadening Inclusion Grant. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. PI: Richard A. Price. 2022-2023
Courses Typically Taught
- EDTS 32600 – Health, Wellness, and Adapted Physical Education
- EDTS 21100 – Special Education Law, Policy, and Ethical Guidelines