Maria Hernandez Finch
Associate Professor of Educational Psychology
Curriculum Vitae
Department:
Department of Educational Psychology
About Maria Hernández Finch
Dr. Maria Hernández Finch is the director of the Educational
Specialist (Ed.S.) and Masters (MA) Programs in School Psychology. She
is the editor of Perspectives on Early Childhood Psychology and
Education, a peer-reviewed journal published through Pace University
Press, and serves on several editorial boards for other peer-reviewed
journals. Dr. Hernández Finch has a very active program of research and
always seeks to involve her Ed.S. and doctoral students in all phases of
the research process. Her most recently funded grant project (2022),
The Parent Play Lab, investigates ways to partner with parents to use
the healing power of play across school Multi-Tiered System of Supports
(MTSS) frameworks to enhance relationships, optimize educational and
social outcomes, and to create a more inclusive, empowering, and
affirming school and home experience for children.
University Professional Experience
-
MA/Ed.S. School Psychology Program Director (2014 - present). Department of Educational Psychology
Associate Professor of Educational Psychology (2017 - present;
Assistant Professor 2012-2017; Contract Assistant Professor 2010-2012).
Department of Educational Psychology, Ball State University
Research Affiliate Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder (CASD; 2013 -
present). The CASD strives to generate cutting-edge applied research and
innovative, time-efficient, cost-effective, co-created interventions
that work, so that Autistic individuals can reach their self-defined
full potential and so that systems can better appreciate and champion
neurodiversity.
https://www.bsu.edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/teachers/aboutus/outreach/center-for-autism-spectrum-disorder
Research and Publications
Sample Recent Publications (see Vita for comprehensive list)
* School Psychology Student
**Former School Psychology Student
+Grant-related
Finch, W. H., Hernández Finch, M. E., & *Avery, B. (2023). The modeling of nonlinear growth for improving the
accuracy of identification decision rules. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 38(2), 104-118.
https://doi.org/10.1111/ldrp.12306
+Hernández Finch, M. E., **Trammell, B., **Hulse, A. R., *Wildrick, A., Finch, W. H., **Freeman Floyd, L.,
*Pittenger, J., & McIntosh, D. E. (2022). Relationship of autism symptomology and adaptive functioning:
Implications for reducing future underemployment. Psychology in the Schools.
https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22755
Speirs Neumeister, K., Hernández Finch, M. E., Finch, W. H., *Spoon, R., Burney, V., & **Smith, V. (2022). Markers
of At-Risk Literacy Development in Gifted Students. Journal for the Education of the Gifted.
https://doi.org/10.1177/01623532221085611
Finch, W. H., & Hernández Finch, M. E. (2022). The relationship of national, school, and student SES with academic
achievement: A model for PISA reading and mathematics scores. Frontiers in Education, 7.
https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.857451
Finch, W. H., Hernández Finch, M. E., *Avery, B. (2021). The impact of national and school contextual factors on
the academic performance of immigrant students. Frontiers in Education, 6, 5-32.
https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.793790
Sample Recent Book Chapter
Hernández Finch, M. E., *Wildrick, A., & *Pittenger, J. (2022). Core Academic Skills, Considerations, Evaluation
Methods, and Intervention Approaches for Autistic Adolescents. In K. D. Viezel, A. S. Davis, & S. Wilczynski
(Eds.) Postsecondary Transition for Students with High-Functioning Autism. Springer.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93947-2_4
Select Recent Conference Presentations
+*Atchison, K. M. & Hernández Finch, M. E. (2024). Play-based interventions as a bridge between MTSS and home
school collaboration. Practitioner Conversation presented and facilitated at the annual National Association
of School Psychologists Convention. New Orleans, Louisiana.
+*Poore, B., Hernández Finch, M. A., Atchison, K., & Bucker, J. (2024). Examining academic outcomes for students
engaged in play-based activities. Presentation at the annual National Association of School Psychologists
Convention. New Orleans, Louisiana.
+*Bucker, J., *Atchison, K, Hernandez Finch, M. A., *Poore, B., *Littman, H., & Finch, W. H. (2024). Utilizing science
of reading with play-based activities in MTSS frameworks. Presentation at the annual National Association of
School Psychologists Convention. New Orleans, Louisiana.
+*Atchison, K. M., & Hernandez Finch, M. E. (2023). Empowering Parents to Participate in MTSS through Filial-Play
Therapy Training. Presentation at the annual National Association of School Psychologists Convention.
Denver, Colorado.
Finch, W. H., Hernández Finch, M. E., & *Avery, B. (2023). Differential impact of COVID-19 school closures on
immigrant students: A transnational comparison. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American
Educational Research Association, Chicago, April.
Finch, W. H. & Hernández Finch, M. E. (2023). The modeling of nonlinear growth for improving the accuracy of
identification decision rules. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research
Association, Chicago, April.
+*Donlan, H. M., & Hernández Finch, M. E. (Oct. 2023). Deaf Hard of Hearing & Child Centered Play Therapy.
Presentation at the Association of Play Therapy International Conference. Palm Springs, California, United
States of America.
+*Poore, B. R.*, Hernández Finch, M. E., & *Atchison, K. M. (Oct. 2023). Academic Success in the Secondary
Classroom through Play-Based Learning Methods. Presentation at the Annual Association for Play Therapy
International Conference. Palm Springs, California, United States of America.