Megan Kunze

Dr. Megan Kunze is a Research Professor at the Center on Brain Injury Research and Training within the Department of Psychology at the University of Oregon. She holds a dual role in the Department of Special Education and Clinical Sciences under the College of Education, where she lectures and supervises graduate students in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education programs. With over 30 years of clinical experience, she specializes in supporting children with developmental disabilities through applied behavior analysis and family-centered interventions.

Education

• Ph.D. in Special Education, University of Oregon (2020)
• M.S. in Special Education: Early Intervention, University of Texas at Austin (2000)
• B.A. in Family and Human Sciences: Child Development, The Ohio State University (1995)

Research Focus

Her research examines accessibility in early diagnosis, telehealth-based caregiver coaching, and culturally responsive interventions for developmental disabilities. Key areas include validating early autism screeners, designing telehealth frameworks for underserved communities, and developing behavior-analytic training programs. She emphasizes equity-focused solutions for rural families and multilingual populations.

Publication Trends

Recent publications highlight telehealth efficacy, pandemic impacts on families, inclusive preschool models, and interdisciplinary autism support. Methodologies range from longitudinal studies to single-case designs, consistently addressing service gaps for vulnerable populations through technology and caregiver empowerment.

Awards

• 2018 David Zeaman Graduate Award for conference travel
• 2020 Dissertation Funding Award from University of Oregon's College of Education

Professional Engagement

Dr. Kunze supervises graduate students in EI/ECSE practicums and serves as behavior expert for two Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) panels: Autism ECHO for Oregon and Ukraine ECHO. These initiatives train medical professionals supporting children with special needs globally.

Laboratory Affiliation

She conducts research at the Center on Brain Injury Research and Training (CBIRT), focusing on early childhood interventions and developmental disability support.