Eleazar Vasquez

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dr. Eleazar Vasquez is a leading scholar in special education and assistive technology, whose work centers on expanding computational and STEM learning opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. His most-cited research, "Computer Programming with Early Elementary Students with Down Syndrome" (2017, 58 citations), is a landmark study demonstrating that even young children with Down syndrome can successfully learn foundational computer programming skills. This work challenged long-held assumptions about cognitive and academic ceilings, proving that with appropriate instructional design—such as explicit teaching, visual supports, and systematic prompting—these students can engage in complex, sequential thinking. Dr. Vasquez’s broader contributions include developing and validating evidence-based practices for teaching academic content to students with significant support needs, bridging the gap between special education and STEM fields. His research has been instrumental in shifting the narrative from what students with disabilities cannot do to what they can achieve when given access to rigorous, adapted curricula. With a growing citation impact, Dr. Vasquez continues to influence both classroom practice and policy, advocating for inclusive technology education that prepares all learners for future careers.