Education
PhD, Autism Studies, Towson University (2026)
Graduate Certificate, Autism Studies, Towson University (2019)
M.Ed., Special Education, Towson University (2014)
B.S., Early Childhood Education, Towson University
Biography
Judy F. Martini is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Special Education at Loyola University Maryland, School of Education. She is the Baltimore Teacher Apprenticeship Program (BTAP) Coordinator, a teacher preparation program in partnership with Loyola University Maryland and Baltimore County Public Schools.
Dr. Martini previously taught for over 20 years in Baltimore County Schools as a general and special educator working in self-contained classrooms and as an inclusion teacher. She served as a mentor teacher to 15 preservice interns preparing for dual certification as general and special educators, many who are currently successful teachers serving the special education population. Dr. Martini began teaching in higher education as an Adjunct Professor of Special Education at Towson University teaching courses such as Universal Design for Learning and Using Technology to Differentiate Instruction. Her dissertation, defended in May 2026, focused on how music benefits autistic students, especially in inclusion classrooms.
Research Interests
Autism and Inclusion
Best Practices of Using Music with Autistic Students
Supporting and Preparing Special Education Preservice Teachers
Supporting Employment of Autistic Young Adults
Strategies for Autistic Employees through Workplace Supports and Accommodations
Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Conference Presentations
International/Peer Reviewed
Baer Chen, B., Knollman, G., Kerl R., Martini, J., & Martini, C. (2025, October). An exploration of research-based employer-recommended strategies for supporting autistic employees. Oral presentation at the 2025 Annual International Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Division on Career Development and Transition, Denver, CO.
Baer Chen, B., Yakubova, G., Martini, J., Kerl, R., & Martini, C. (2025, October). Amplifying the voices of autistic employees: Recommendations for workplace supports and accommodations. Oral presentation at the 2025 Annual International Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Division on Career Development and Transition, Denver, CO.
Baer Chen, B., Knollman, G., & Martini, J. (2024, October). Barriers to employment may begin with the boss: Findings from a scoping review of employers’ attitudes toward hiring and employing autistic individuals. Oral presentation at the 2024 Annual International Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Division on Career Development and Transition, Chantilly, VA.
National/Peer Reviewed
Wilson, K.P., Bosnick, C., (presenter), Martini, J., Anderson, C., Baer Chen, B.,
Rosenberg, M., & Hoyt, L. (2024, December). Evaluating the impact of the Autism Hiring
Program. Poster presentation at the Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association, Seattle, WA.
Wilson, K., Martini, J., Bosnick, C., & Baer Chen, B. (2024, October). Evaluating the impact of employment programs: Roundtable discussion based on the Autism Hiring Program at Towson University. Roundtable discussion at the Kennedy Krieger Institute Neurodiversity in the Workplace Conference, Washington, D.C.
Regional/Local
Martini, J. (2025, April). The impact of rhythmical songs on attention and listening comprehension of autistic preschoolers. Poster presentation at the Autism Summit, Towson University, Towson, MD.
Martini, J. (2025, April). The impact of rhythmical songs on attention and listening comprehension of autistic preschoolers. Poster presentation at the Student Research Forum, Research and Creative Inquiry, Towson University, Towson, MD.
Honors and Awards
Doctoral Scholar Research Assistant, 2024-2026
Towson University Autism Studies PhD Program
BTU Partnerships at Work for Greater Baltimore Team Award, 2025
Baltimore-Towson University
Contributing team member-Autism Hiring Program
Teacher of the Year Nominee 2018 & 2013
Baltimore County Public Schools
Grants
Jones Johnson, S. & Martini, J. (Community grant co-authors). (2025). The Trader Foundation for Maryland Burial Sites, Inc. Grant for The Historic East Towson Improvement Association, Incorporated (NeTIA). (Funded, $3000, maximum allowed).
Project to restore Pleasant Rest Cemetery, in Towson, MD, a historic African American cemetery, which will be part of The Road to Freedom Trail project in Historic East Towson, tracing the story of freedom of its residents, connecting the community to its roots. (www.historiceasttowson.org, 2025).