Deborah E. Griswold

Dr. Deborah Griswold is a Teaching Professor and Co-Area Coordinator for the Autism Masters and graduate Certificate programs in the Department of Special Education. She has been associated with the autism program since its inception. She obtained her master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Kansas, benefiting from mentorship by esteemed experts Drs. Richard L. Simpson and Brenda Smith Myles. Her areas of expertise include teacher education, autism spectrum disorders, and emotional behavioral disorders.

Dr. Griswold’s unwavering passion for autism and teacher education is reflected in her professional life. Before her time at KU, Dr. Griswold worked as a special educator. As the Co-Area Coordinator and Teaching Professor of the autism MSE and Certificate programs, alongside Dr. McKeithan, Dr. Griswold is dedicated to maintaining the high standards of excellence established by KU and the Department of Special Education. Dr. Griswold has served as a grant coordinator for teacher educator preparation, focusing on improving outcomes for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders, emotional behavior disorders, and other disabilities. She was the principal investigator (PI) for L-TEC, Leadership in the Teacher Education Core, (CFDA 84.325D) a doctoral preparation grant.

Throughout her time at KU, Dr. Griswold has mentored graduate students, guiding them through their academic journeys, from crafting master’s theses, projects, and portfolios to collaborating on impactful projects. She has led initiatives like the Kansas City KS/KU Special Education Autism/Emotional Behavior Partnership, which bridged theoretical knowledge with real-world practice, and served as an Assistant Professor of Practice for the High-, Low-Incidence, and Autism programs.

Dr. Griswold has co-authored several articles and a book chapter and supported many diverse and inclusive educational spaces. She serves as a reviewer for journals such as Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, Exceptional Children (reviewer), and ReThinking Behavior (editorial board). She supports the Midwest Symposium for Leadership in Behavior Disorders (MSLBD) and serves on the Board of Directors as well as a committee member of the Annual Richard L. Simpson Conference on Autism. She is on the Board of Directors of the Kansas Association for Teacher Educators.