Lauren Fischbacher, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Special Education and Program Chair at the University of Massachusetts Global. She earned her doctorate through the joint Ph.D. program in Special Education at the University of California, Los Angeles and California State University, Los Angeles. During her doctoral studies, Dr. Fischbacher was recognized as a LEND Fellow and a CEC Doctoral Scholar. Dr. Fischbacher was then a post-doctoral researcher at Baylor University working on projects using eye-tracking with young children with an increased likelihood of autism.
Dr. Fischbacher conducts research about individuals with autism and/or intellectual disabilities and teacher preparation. Her work explores self-determination, play, inclusion, and belonging. To this end, she focuses on communication supports, literacy, and alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) for non-speaking individuals.
Before entering higher education, Dr. Fischbacher was a special education teacher in both inclusive and self-contained settings in California and Alabama. She has experience preparing special education teachers in both California and in Texas at California State University, Los Angeles, and Baylor University.
Education History
2024 - Ph.D. in Special Education, University of California, Los Angeles and California State University
Dissertation: “ ‘They Believed in Me’: A Community-Partnered Participatory Study Exploring the Outcomes of Adult AAC Users with Autism, Intellectual, and Developmental Disabilities”
2019 - M.A.Ed. in Special Education, University of Alabama at Birmingham
2016 - B.A. in Theatre, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Scholarly Activities
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Fischbacher, L., Dodds, R. L., & Tien, I. (2024). Teaching Parents via Online Asynchronous Training to use Speech Generating Devices with their Autistic Children: A Pilot Study. Children.
Maurer, K., Fischbacher, L., Fensterstock, N. & Osipova, A. (2023). Effective Schoolwide Practices in Support of Students With Extensive Support Needs in an Inclusive Elementary School. Journal of School Leadership.
Fischbacher, L., & Osipova, A. (2021). The Need for Culturally and Linguistically Responsive AAC for Latinx Students. California Council on Teacher Education Research Monograph.
Conference Presentations
Loeb, D., Fischbacher, L., Ritter, M., Simpkins, L.L., Pidala, A., & Bauman T. (2024). Eye Tracking in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a Special Emphasis on Autism. TSHA 69th Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX.
Fischbacher, L. & Prahl, A. (2024). Reimagining Skills for Inclusion: What Do We Really Mean When We Say “Functional Skills”? IASSIDD 17th World Congress, Chicago, IL.
Trites, K., Messerli, M., Duran, B., Fischbacher, L. (2023). Students with Autism at School: Academic Strengths and Needs in a Heterogeneous Population. APA Convention, Washington, D.C.
Fischbacher, L. (2024). Community-Partnered Research: Reflections on Designing a Study with and about Autistic AAC Users. CEC 2024 Convention and Expo, San Antonio, TX.
Parks, R., Fischbacher, L., McNaughton, G., & Rosenau, K. (2023). Medical and Dental Curricula on IDD: Representation and Inclusion. Autism CARES Meeting, Washington, D.C.
Fischbacher, L. & Dodds, R. (2023). Parent-Mediated AAC Interventions in Early Childhood: A Scoping Review. INSAR Annual Meeting, Stockholm, Sweden.
Fischbacher, L. & Dodds, R. (2023). Training Parents to Use AAC through Online Modules and Coaching. CEC Convention and Expo, Louisville, KY.
Maurer, K., Fischbacher, L., Fensterstock, N. & Osipova, A. (2023). Schoolwide Practices to Promote Inclusion of Students With Extensive Support Needs. Cal-TASH Conference, Los Angeles, CA.
Larios, R., Osipova, A., Fischbacher, L., Homerin, N., Maurer, K., & Otis, B. (2022). From Compliance to Authentic Engagement: Culturally Responsive IEPs. CEC Convention and Expo (virtual).
Fischbacher, L. & Osipova, A. (2021). Culturally Relevant Teaching & Socio-emotional Learning in Special Education Teacher Preparation. International Conference on Learning Disabilities, Las Vegas, NV
Fischbacher, L. & Osipova, A. (2021). The Need for Culturally and Linguistically Responsive AAC for Latinx Students. California Council on Teacher Education SPAN Conference (virtual)
Funded Projects & Grants
(2023-2024). Functional Literacy Needs and Desires of Autistic and Intellectually Disabled AAC Users. HRSA AIR-P Scholars Grant – $33,000
(2021). Effectiveness of Online Modules to Teach Parents AAC Strategies. Matthew Guglielmo Fellowship, CSU LA – $4,000
Awards
(2024) IASSIDD Carla Vlaskamp Early Career Researcher Award
(2023–2024) CEC Division for Research Doctoral Student Scholar
Professional Experience
2024-2025: Post-Doctoral Researcher, Baylor University
Conducted research on eye-tracking and autism and mentored student researchers.
Education History
2024 - Ph.D. in Special Education, University of California, Los Angeles and California State University
Dissertation: “ ‘They Believed in Me’: A Community-Partnered Participatory Study Exploring the Outcomes of Adult AAC Users with Autism, Intellectual, and Developmental Disabilities”
2019 - M.A.Ed. in Special Education, University of Alabama at Birmingham
2016 - B.A. in Theatre, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Scholarly Activities
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Fischbacher, L., Dodds, R. L., & Tien, I. (2024). Teaching Parents via Online Asynchronous Training to use Speech Generating Devices with their Autistic Children: A Pilot Study. Children.
Maurer, K., Fischbacher, L., Fensterstock, N. & Osipova, A. (2023). Effective Schoolwide Practices in Support of Students With Extensive Support Needs in an Inclusive Elementary School. Journal of School Leadership.
Fischbacher, L., & Osipova, A. (2021). The Need for Culturally and Linguistically Responsive AAC for Latinx Students. California Council on Teacher Education Research Monograph.
Conference Presentations
Loeb, D., Fischbacher, L., Ritter, M., Simpkins, L.L., Pidala, A., & Bauman T. (2024). Eye Tracking in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a Special Emphasis on Autism. TSHA 69th Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX.
Fischbacher, L. & Prahl, A. (2024). Reimagining Skills for Inclusion: What Do We Really Mean When We Say “Functional Skills”? IASSIDD 17th World Congress, Chicago, IL.
Trites, K., Messerli, M., Duran, B., Fischbacher, L. (2023). Students with Autism at School: Academic Strengths and Needs in a Heterogeneous Population. APA Convention, Washington, D.C.
Fischbacher, L. (2024). Community-Partnered Research: Reflections on Designing a Study with and about Autistic AAC Users. CEC 2024 Convention and Expo, San Antonio, TX.
Parks, R., Fischbacher, L., McNaughton, G., & Rosenau, K. (2023). Medical and Dental Curricula on IDD: Representation and Inclusion. Autism CARES Meeting, Washington, D.C.
Fischbacher, L. & Dodds, R. (2023). Parent-Mediated AAC Interventions in Early Childhood: A Scoping Review. INSAR Annual Meeting, Stockholm, Sweden.
Fischbacher, L. & Dodds, R. (2023). Training Parents to Use AAC through Online Modules and Coaching. CEC Convention and Expo, Louisville, KY.
Maurer, K., Fischbacher, L., Fensterstock, N. & Osipova, A. (2023). Schoolwide Practices to Promote Inclusion of Students With Extensive Support Needs. Cal-TASH Conference, Los Angeles, CA.
Larios, R., Osipova, A., Fischbacher, L., Homerin, N., Maurer, K., & Otis, B. (2022). From Compliance to Authentic Engagement: Culturally Responsive IEPs. CEC Convention and Expo (virtual).
Fischbacher, L. & Osipova, A. (2021). Culturally Relevant Teaching & Socio-emotional Learning in Special Education Teacher Preparation. International Conference on Learning Disabilities, Las Vegas, NV
Fischbacher, L. & Osipova, A. (2021). The Need for Culturally and Linguistically Responsive AAC for Latinx Students. California Council on Teacher Education SPAN Conference (virtual)
Funded Projects & Grants
(2023-2024). Functional Literacy Needs and Desires of Autistic and Intellectually Disabled AAC Users. HRSA AIR-P Scholars Grant – $33,000
(2021). Effectiveness of Online Modules to Teach Parents AAC Strategies. Matthew Guglielmo Fellowship, CSU LA – $4,000
Awards
(2024) IASSIDD Carla Vlaskamp Early Career Researcher Award
(2023–2024) CEC Division for Research Doctoral Student Scholar
Professional Experience
2024-2025: Post-Doctoral Researcher, Baylor University
Conducted research on eye-tracking and autism and mentored student researchers.
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