Dr Julie McMillan
Academic Status
College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
Dr Julie McMillan has worked as an academic in teaching and research at Flinders University and the University of Illinois in the United States. Prior to her academic career Julie was a teacher of students with complex and extensive support needs. Julie specialises in the areas of curriculum, instruction, augmentative and alternative communication and positive behaviour support for students with complex disability including autism, physical disabilities, intellectual disability and complex communication needs. Julie's research interests include teacher professional learning and the impact of evidence-based practice on student outcomes; specifically in the areas of augmentative and alternative communication, positive behaviour support, personalised learning for students with disability, autism and the mental health of students with disability.
BTeach (Primary)
MEd (Special Education, K-12)
PhD (Education/Specialised)
- UIUC University Fellowship Award (2004)
- UIUC Dissertation Research Award (2004)
- Australian Association of Special Education Research Award (2013)
- Australian Association of Special Education Reserach Award (2021)
Julie teaches and conducts research in specialised and inclusive education. She is Co-Director of the Research in Inclusive and Specialised Education (RISE) Iniative in the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work. She is a member of the Flinders University Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing where her work is focussed on promoting the mental health of diverse learners. Julie is a member of the Flinders University Disability Access Committee and the College Disability Academic Advisor for students and staff in the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.
Julie teaches in the areas of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), managing the learning environment for students with disabilities and behaviours of concern and curriculum and instruction for students with complex needs. The focus of these topics includes students with intellectual disability, physical disability, autism and multiple disabilities. Of particular interest to Julie is the relationship between behaviour, teaching and learning, behaviour and communication, and supporting students with complex communication needs who use augmentative and alternative communication. Julie teaches in the following awards, Master of Education (Special Education), Graduate Certificate in Education (Special Education), Bachelor of Special Education and the double degrees of Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary)/Disability Policy and Practice.
Julie is an SA state Leader for the Association of Positive Behaviour Support Australia (APBSA) and the National Research Network Co-Chair for APBSA. Julie is an appointed member of the South Australian Autism Education Advisory Group. Julie regularly consults for government agencies and not-for-profit community service organisations. She is currently consulting for the Department for Education, Inclusive Teaching and Learning Directorate on the Practice Guidance to support teachers and leaders with inclusive practice for diverse learners.
- Autism
- Disability
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Education - Special
- Schools
- Special education
- autism
- Developmental Disabilities
- Inclusive Education
- special education
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
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