A smiling woman with short brown hair and a light blue shirt, against a dark background.

Hester L. Henderson, PhD

Hester Henderson is a full professor in the Department of HKR and is the Director of the Special/Adapted Physical Education teacher training program and the U-FIT Program. She is from Arlington, Virginia. She has a B.A. from Roanoke College and an M.S. in elementary education from George Mason University. She taught special education and elementary education in Fairfax, VA for 8 years. During that time she took a sabbatical and earned a Ph.D. in Special Education from Utah State University. In 1982 she completed a postdoc Master's degree in Special Physical Education from the University of Utah. She then taught for one year at Iowa State University before joining the faculty at the University of Utah in 1983.

Research Statement

I have a background in behavior management and have written 3 books (one in the 2nd edition) on behavior management. We just completed a study determining whether contingent or delay reinforcement was more effective in motivating children with autism to pedal a stationary bike. We completed another research project measuring the improvement of motor skills in children with autism after participating in a physical education program twice a week for 6 months. We also completed a study measuring the effect of a running program on fitness and self-concept with adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities.

Selected Publications

Journal Article

  1. Anderson, D.C (2017). Motivating children with autism to ride a stationary bicycle using contingent and delayed reinforcement.
  2. Lavay, B (2007). A practical plan for managing the behavior of students with disabilities in general physical education. 78, (2), 42-48.
  3. vonLintel, D (2017). Development and initial validation of the peer tutor evaluation instrument in adapted physical education.
  4. French, R.W (2014). Use of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in adapted physical education. 28(3), 32-37.
  5. deGennaro, C.K (2016). Effects of a running program on fitness and self-concept in adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities.
  6. O'Connor, J (2000).
  7. Lavay, (2012). Behavior management instructional practices and content of college/university physical education teacher education (PETE) programs. 17(2), 195-210.
  8. Galli, N (2014). An investigation of body image in athletes with physical disabilities. Journal of clinical sport psychology, (10), 1-18.
  9. Lavay, B (2012). Behavior management instructional practices and content of college/university physical education teacher education (PETE) programs. 17(2), 195-210.
  10. French, R.W (2013). Opportunities for recognition can improve learning and performance. 84(7), 51-55.
  11. Ellis, G (2004). Bringing sportsmanship back to your youth sports leagues. Parks and Recreation. 46-51.
  12. Lavay, B (2012). Behavior management instructional practices and content of college/university physical education teacher education (PETE) programs. 17(2), 195-210.
  13. vonLintel, D (2016). Effects of peer tutor training on social skills and physical activity for students with severe disabilities in self-contained classrooms. Adapted physical activity quarterly,
  14. Henderson, H.L (2000).
  15. Lavay, B (2014). The behavior management training and teaching practices of nationally certified adapted physical education (CAPE) teachers. 28(1), 24-31.
  16. vonLintel, D (2015). Determining attitudes of peer tutors of students with severe disabilities in adapted physical education. Journal of physical education, recreation & dance,
  17. Sands, W.A (1999). Warm-up with strength shoes lacks performance benefit. Biomechanics.
  18. Henderson, H. L (2016). The effects of a physical education program on the motor skill performance on children with autism. 30(3), 41-49.
  19. Lavay, B (2007). A practical plan for managing the behavior of students with disabilities in general physical education. 78(2), 42-48.

Book

  1. Luke Kell (2019). Adapted Physical Education National Standards.
  2. Lavay, B (2016). Positive behavior management in physical activity settings (3rd Ed.).

Book Chapter

  1. Henderson, H.L (2016). Positive Behavior Support of Children with Challenging Behaviors. In Block, M (Ed.), A Teachers Guide to Including Students with Disabilities in General Physical Education (4th ed.).

Other

  1. Kelly, L (2006). Adapted Physical Education National Standards, major contributor to.
  2. (2004).
  3. (2001).