Clarissa A. Willis is the associate director of the Center of Excellence at East Tennessee State University and an associate professor of special education in the Department of Human Development and Learning. She is the author of Teaching Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and coauthor of Inclusive Literacy Lessons with Special Education Adaptations . Willis has over 30 years of experience working with children with special needs as a speech pathologist, early interventionist, teacher, and grant administrator. As a consultant, she has provided workshops and keynote addresses to schools and organizations across the country and abroad.