About Dr. Whitbread
Kathleen Whitbread, Ph.D., is an independent educational evaluator and literacy consultant with more than 40 years of experience working with families, schools, and community organizations. She specializes in literacy assessment and instruction for students with intellectual disabilities, including students with Down syndrome.
Dr. Whitbread serves as Research and Training Coordinator for the Literacy and Education Center at the Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut. She holds an active K–12 comprehensive special education teaching license and earned Associate-level certification in Orton–Gillingham.
She spent 18 years as a university faculty member and directed research and training projects at the University of Connecticut Center for Developmental Disabilities. Her research has focused on early literacy and access to general education for students with significant disabilities. She writes about reading instruction for children with Down syndrome on her blog, Open Books Open Doors.