Christina Carnahan

Christina Carnahan is a Professor of Special Education at the School of Education, part of the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services at the University of Cincinnati. She serves as the director of the IDD Education Center, focusing on interventions for individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities. With a Doctor of Education (2006) from the University of Cincinnati and a focus on literacy and communication interventions, her work emphasizes structured work systems, technology integration, and virtual coaching for teachers.

• Literacy instruction for neurodiverse learners
• Autism spectrum disorder educational strategies
• Teacher professional development
• STEM accessibility for individuals with disabilities

Her research includes 15 recent publications spanning topics like interactive books (2009), personal narrative interventions for adults with autism (2023), and technology-supported literacy (2011). She has secured multiple grants, including Federal NSF funding for inclusive STEM workforce development and Ohio state grants for developmental disability support programs.

Dr. Carnahan has delivered over 30 invited presentations across the U.S., addressing literacy for students with significant disabilities in Ohio (2011), technology supports for ASD learners in Maryland (2012), and university-school professional development collaborations in North Carolina (2009). She co-authored two key texts: Quality Literacy Instruction for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Facilitating Evidence Based Practice for Students with ASD, establishing herself as a leading voice in inclusive education.