Michael Ota has been an educator (both general and special education), behavioral analyst, editor, author, and consultant for over 20 years. Having experience in secondary and college-level classrooms and behavioral clinics from Pre-K-12, his current pursuits are on behavioral intervention in both the educational and community settings.
I believe that disabilities should be re-stated as all-abilities and that cognitive differences are really a result of neurodiversity. Individuals with ASD, for instance in my ancedotal experience, have less success and more challenging behaviors when we as parents, educators, and therapists try to change what comes naturally to them. A good example is telling someone to "look me in the eye." This may not be possible especially for those on the spectrum due to how their brains process visual and auditory information. If we approach therapies with social validity in mind (that is, tackle issues when they are dysfunctional for the individual rather than pleasing or neurotypical for the caregivers), then we can find a better balance of the needs/wants of those individuals with social/cultural/familial norms. So rather than telling them to "look me in the eye," we should find a compromise like "look at the person" in social situations. This respects and balances the neurodiversity of the individual with the social norms of the community.
A unique mix of training and graduate education in technology integration and autism spectrum disorders affords him the tools in providing innovative solutions to challenging situations while allowing for practical, successful implementation. Michael has a personal connection with his pursuits, as well, having followed his wife, Amy Ota, in her footsteps into the field and caring for a child with ASD.
Michael is currently pursuing a PhD in School Improvement, focusing on research for systemic oppression and injustice for individuals w/ autism.