Dr. David Brent McNaughton is a preeminent scholar and national leader in augmentative and alternative communication and special education research. He currently serves as Professor of Special Education with a cross-appointment in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Pennsylvania State University, where he has established himself as a transformative figure in disability studies and communication sciences. His academic journey has been dedicated to advancing evidence-based practices for individuals with complex communication needs through rigorous scholarship and practical application. At Penn State, he teaches specialized coursework in augmentative and alternative communication, assistive technology, collaboration skills, and grant-writing and project management, shaping the next generation of professionals in the field.
Dr. McNaughton's pioneering research has fundamentally reshaped approaches to supporting communication for individuals with significant disabilities, particularly through the development of innovative technological solutions and implementation frameworks. He currently leads a five-year federally-funded project investigating how video visual scene displays can enhance communication and participation of young adults with disabilities in community activities including employment, independent living, and recreational settings. As Co-Leader of Training and Dissemination for the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on AAC, he has significantly advanced the field's capacity to translate research into practice across educational and clinical settings. His creation of the AAC Learning Center, a free online resource utilized by over seventy-five colleges and universities worldwide, has revolutionized pre-service and in-service training in augmentative and alternative communication, establishing new standards for accessibility and implementation of evidence-based practices.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. McNaughton has been instrumental in building national capacity in the AAC field through strategic leadership in major federally-funded initiatives and professional organizations. He currently serves as Principal Investigator for The AAC Leadership Project, which prepares the next generation of faculty in Augmentative and Alternative Communication through doctoral training programs in Special Education and Communication Sciences and Disorders. His work continues to shape national policy and practice guidelines for serving individuals with communication disabilities across diverse educational and community environments. Dr. McNaughton remains at the forefront of developing innovative strategies to promote meaningful communication and social participation, with his current research focusing on enhancing community integration and quality of life through advanced AAC technologies. His sustained commitment to improving communication access continues to drive transformative change in special education and disability services nationwide.
