Image of Susan Bashinski's face and shoulders. She is smiling.
Dr. Susan M. Bashinski is a Professor of Special Education and is currently serving as the Interim Dean of the Missouri Western State University Graduate School. She has more than 40 years of experience working with learners who experience multiple disabilities, including deaf-blindness and CHARGE syndrome. Throughout her career, Susan’s research interests and areas of expertise include early communication, gestural communication, and language development; augmentative communication; and cochlear implants for learners who experience deaf-blindness.

These interests are reflected in both her work as a teacher educator and researcher. The body of Susan’s work is grounded in educational practice. She not only has a passion, but believes also a professional responsibility, to conduct pragmatic research and to work diligently to try and translate research findings into effective everyday practice. Susan then attempts to help others learn these practices through the classes she teaches and workshops she presents for families and professionals.

Susan has directed numerous federal and state grants in low-incidence disabilities and deaf-blindness, including: personnel preparation, research, model in-service training, and assistive technology. She has extensive experience in providing professional development and technical assistance nationally and internationally, particularly in the areas of augmentative and nonsymbolic communication for learners who have low-incidence disabilities, including CHARGE syndrome and / or deaf-blindness. Susan has numerous publications and various presentations related to these topics.