UMass Boston

The Center for Social Development and Education (CSDE) is a multidisciplinary research and training institute whose mission is to promote the social development of children with disabilities and increase their success in school and the community, while simultaneously working to eliminate the attitudinal barriers that limit opportunities for their full participation in society. Unique to CSDE’s mission is the value it places on translating research to practice.

Led by founder and director Gary N. Siperstein, PhD, CSDE is comprised of more than 40 full- and part-time staff. CSDE receives funding from the U.S. Department of Education, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and Special Olympics, Inc. CSDE staff conduct longitudinal research focusing on children with autism and their families and children with emotional and behavioral disabilities; intervention research focusing on the social inclusion of children with intellectual disabilities; survey research on public attitudes toward individuals with disabilities; and program evaluation of early childhood intervention programs, violence prevention programs, and others. CSDE’s research has been conducted throughout the United States and in nearly twenty countries across Asia (China, India), Europe (Germany, Ireland), Latin America (Brazil, Panama) and Africa (Nigeria, South Africa).

For more than 30 years, CSDE’s research findings have guided the development of evidence-based instructional curricula and graduate training programs. Currently, CSDE offers graduate certificate programs in adapting curricula for inclusive classrooms and in the application of applied behaviour analysis for children with autism.

CSDE continues to expand its activities and provide support to families, schools, and community agencies to promote the welfare of children and adolescents with disabilities and their families.