The University of St. Thomas

School of Education

Shelley L. Neilsen Gatti

Associate Professor, Department of Special Education



651-962-4980

Academic History

Ph.D., Educational Psychology, Special Education, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 2001
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Special Education, University of Montana, Missoula, Mont., 1993
B.A., Elementary and Special Education, University of Montana, Missoula, Mont., 1989

Awards and Honors

  • 2000 J. David Sexton Doctoral Student Award, Division of Early Childhood
  • 1999 College of Education Alumni Association Graduate Student Scholarship
  • 1991-1992 Competitive Scholarship, Early Childhood Special Education Training Program, School of Education, University of Montana, US. Department of Education
  • 1989 President's Recognition Award, Outstanding Senior in Elementary Education, University of Montana, Missoula, Mont.
  • 1989 President's Recognition Award, Outstanding Senior Advocate, University of Montana, Missoula, Mont.    

Selected Publications and Presentations

  • Neilsen, S., McEvoy & Reichle, J. Extending Positive Behavioral Support to Early Childhood Special Education Settings, Topics in Early Childhood Education.
  • Neilsen Gatti, S. (2005). Building Positive Behavioral Support Plans.  ITV, Center for Early Education and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
  • Neilsen Gatti, S., Watson, C. & Durand, L. (2005). Bridging Education and Mental Health. Division of Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children, Portland, Ore.
  • Neilsen Gatti, S. (2005). Before the Storm Hits:  Establishing and Maintaining Patterns of Positive Social Interactions. ITV, Center for Early Education and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
  • Neilsen, S. & McEvoy, M. (2004). Functional Behavioral Assessment, Assessing Infants and Preschoolers with Special Needs (3rd Edition). In M. McLean, D. Bailey, & M. Wolery, Merrill, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
  • Neilsen, S. & McEvoy, M. (2004). Functional Behavior Assessment:  Research Informing Policy, Journal of Early Intervention.
  • Neilsen Gatti, S. (2004). Making your Room Work For You: Environmental Arrangement in the Early Childhood Classroom. ITV, Center for Early Education and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
  • Neilsen Gatti, S. (2004). Using Functional Behavioral Assessment in Early Childhood Programs. ITV, Center for Early Education and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
  • Neilsen Gatti, S. (2004). Linking FBA to Effective Interventions. ITV, Center for Early Education and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
  • Neilsen, S. & McEvoy M. (2002). Using Functional Behavior Assessment and Functional Communication Training to Access and Prevent Challenging Behavior, Communicative Approaches to Managing Challenging Behavior, Special Interest Group 12 Newsletter, American Speech and Hearing Association, Rockville, M.D.
  • Neilsen S. & McEvoy, M. (2001). The Minnesota Early Childhood Behavior Support Project, Early Report.
  • Neilsen, S., McEvoy, M. & Olive, M. (2000). Positive Behavioral Support in Early Education. Conference on Research Innovations in Early Intervention, San Diego.
  • Neilsen, S., Olive, M., Donovan, A. & McEvoy, M. (1999). Challenging Behavior in Your Classroom?  Don't React-Teach Instead! Reprinted in Practical Ideas for Addressing Challenging Behavior, Young Exceptional Children Monograph Series.
  • Neilsen, S., McEvoy, M., Olive, M. & Swanson, J. (1999). Meeting the Needs of Young Children with Challenging Behavior:  On-site Technical Assistance Teams for the Future. International DEC Conference, Washington D.C.
  • Neilsen, S., McConnell, S. & Sheran, C. (1999). Arranging Your Classroom for Success:  Strategies for Preventing Challenging Behavior. MNAEYC Annual Conference, Minneapolis.
  • Neilsen, S. & McEvoy, M. (1999). Training Pre-School and Elementary School Positive Behavioral Supports, Scott Doss Positive Behavioral Support Conference, Minneapolis. Neilsen, S., Guidry, J., ven den Pol, R., & Keeley, E. (1996). Augmenting Traditional Assessment and Information:  The VIDEOSHARE Model. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education.
  •  Neilsen, S., van den Pol, R., Guidry, C., Keeley, E. & Honzel, R. (1994). On-Track: A Comprehensive System for Early Childhood Intervention. Sopris West: Longmont, CO.