About Laura Bassette

Dr. Bassette's primary research explores how technologically based, behavioral interventions can facilitate health and learning in people with autism and developmental disabilities through socially valid community-engaged projects. Other research explores the impact of animal-assisted services on people with disabilities. Her research has been published in journals including: Advances in Autism, Behavior Analysis in Practice, and Behavioral Interventions.

Professional Experience

Prior to Ball State, Dr. Bassette earned her Ph.D. in Special Education from Purdue University in 2011. Following her doctoral program, she taught in the Exceptional Education Department at SUNY College of Old Westbury. She also previously worked as a behavior analyst in Central Indiana for adolescents and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities in residential settings and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Doctoral Level (BCBA-D) in 2013. She then completed a post-doctoral fellowship with an emphasis in severe disabilities in the Department of Special Education at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana in 2015.

Education

• Ph.D. Purdue University (Special Education)
• M.S. Purdue University (Youth Development and Agricultural Education)
• B.A. Lehigh University (Psychology)
• A.A. Cazenovia College (Liberal Studies)

Select Publications and Research

Bassette, L.A., Markelz, A., Wikel, K., Pecsi, E., Saulsgiver, K. (2025). An examination of two hair-washing interventions for children with autism. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, Advanced online publication, https://doi.org/10.1177/02711214251349128

Bassette, L. A., Kujawski, M., & Donges, E. (2024). Teaching social support to promote inclusive physical activity for people with autism. Advances in Autism, 10(4), 259-272 10.1108/AIA-04-2024-0028

Bassette, L.A. & Savage. M. (2022). Assistive technology to promote physical activity in students with disabilities. In X. Liu & P. Wachira (Eds.), Technology-Supported Interventions for Students With Special Needs in the 21st Century. IGI Global. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-8874-1.ch001

Bassette, L.A, Sundberg, S., Magnusen, A., Ramirez, A., & Badger, E. (2023). An exploration of  a physical activity intervention in a community fitness setting for adolescents with autism, Behavioral Interventions, 1-19 https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1970

Bassette, L.A., Dieringer, S., Donges, E.*, Glass, M.*, & Scheible, C.+ (2021). Choice of exercises: The impact of preference and selection of exercises when teaching physical activity skills to people with autism in the community, Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 56(1), 83-100.