Department of Special Education
Division of Gifted Education
Research Priority Areas

• Giftedness, Gifted Education, Education of Gifted Students

• Identification and Education of Twice-Exceptional Students (Gifted with Learning Disabilities)

• Intelligence Studies

• Gifted and Mathematics, Psychological Characteristics, Culture, Mathematics Education

• Mathematics Education for the Gifted, Gifted and Mathematics, Mathematics Instruction in Special Education, Mathematics and Learning Disabilities

Subtopics

• Identification of Gifted Students, Enriched Instructional Programs, Enriched Teaching

• Identification of Twice-Exceptional Individuals, Assessment of Cognitive Skills, Cognitive Interventions

• Psychology, Psychology of Individual Differences, Psychometrics, Intelligence Studies

• Tailored Mathematics Instruction for Gifted Students, Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Students, Culture and Giftedness, Psychological Traits of Gifted Students

• Mathematics Education for the Gifted, Gifted and Mathematics, Giftedness, Twice-Exceptionality, Learning Disabilities and Giftedness

Keywords
Giftedness, gifted, enrichment, acceleration, differentiation, twice-exceptional, learning disabilities, cognitive intervention, gifted education, intelligence and talent, differential psychology, talent assessment, culture, psychological characteristics, mathematics education for the gifted

Significance and Rationale
Gifted education contributes directly to the development of human capital across various sectors. Historically, gifted individuals have played critical roles in major advancements. The early identification of such individuals is essential to ensure the provision of appropriate support services. Therefore, identification is a key area within our national education system.

Understanding intelligence is crucial for advancements in artificial intelligence. In addition to conducting AI research, it is equally important to establish interdisciplinary academic platforms for exploring and understanding intelligence. This allows for the comprehensive study of intelligence assessment, intelligence theories, and the predictive validity of cognitive constructs.

The proposed priority areas and subtopics are vital for designing and developing educational programs for individuals in need of special education. There is a significant need for research in these areas.

Mathematics Education in Special Education and for Gifted Learners has been identified as a research priority. Given the limited number of researchers and publications in this field, coupled with the increasing number of students identified as gifted, there is an urgent need for scholars to focus on this area.

Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Education
Research Priority Areas

• Early Identification in Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Education of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Subtopics

• Early identification and eye-tracking technologies in ASD

• Early intervention in children with ASD

• School-age education for children with ASD

• Technology-based interventions for children with ASD

• Parent-mediated interventions for children with ASD

• Reading and reading comprehension interventions for children with ASD

• Education of adults with ASD

Keywords
Autism, early intervention, early identification, social communication difficulties, joint attention deficits, eye tracking, parent-mediated interventions, parent education

Significance and Rationale
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that significantly affects social-emotional development, social interaction, and communication skills, with symptoms typically emerging before the age of three. Social interaction and communication difficulties are hallmark features of ASD and serve as primary differentiators from other developmental disabilities.

Current estimates indicate that 1 in 54 children is diagnosed with ASD, making its prevalence higher than that of conditions such as leukemia or diabetes. Research confirms that although ASD is a lifelong condition, developmental interventions can positively alter its neurobiological trajectory (Charman & Stone, 2008).

Recent advancements in eye-tracking technologies have allowed researchers to study the gaze behavior and developmental trajectories of children with ASD. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of social deficits in ASD and identifying potential targets for intervention are critically important.

The wide variability in symptom presentation among individuals with ASD makes education challenging. However, scientific evidence shows that early educational interventions significantly enhance their ability to participate in daily life and reduce the developmental impact of ASD.

Supporting children with ASD to become independent members of society and facilitating their inclusion in educational settings with typically developing peers is of critical importance. As such, global research funding and strategic planning have been increasingly directed toward early identification and educational interventions for individuals with ASD.

Division of Intellectual Disabilities Education
Research Priority Areas

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Special Education

Subtopics

• Twice-exceptional individuals

• Education of individuals with ASD during adolescence and adulthood

• Education of individuals with ASD

• Early childhood special education

Keywords
Autism spectrum disorder, twice-exceptional individuals, special education, early intervention, language development, social communication, quality of life

Significance and Rationale
In Turkey, research on the education of individuals with ASD during adolescence and adulthood, as well as twice-exceptional individuals, remains limited. Identifying and implementing effective educational practices for these populations will support their independence, increase workforce participation, reduce caregiver burden, and contribute to the efficient use of national resources.

Research in the fields of education for individuals with ASD and early childhood special education has gained momentum in recent years. These fields offer opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with disciplines such as medicine and engineering and are open to innovative research projects.

Furthermore, there is a shortage of qualified practitioners and academics working in these areas in Turkey, highlighting the urgent need for capacity building in both practice and research.