Iva Obrusnikova

Associate Professor
Behavioral Health & Nutrition
019 Carpenter Sports Bldg.
302-831-8032
obrusnik@udel.edu

Research Interests

• Physical Activity and Social Behavior of Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Inclusion of Children and Adolescents With Disabilities in Physical Activity Settings

Education

• Ph.D., Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic, 2004
• M.Sc. (EMDAPA), Catholic University, Leuven, Belgium, 2001
• M.Ed., Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic, 1998

Professional Experience

• 2012-present, Associate Professor, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
• 2006-2012, Assistant Professor, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
• 2008-present, Director, University of Delaware Adapted Sports Club
• 2004-2006, Assistant Professor, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
• 2002-2004, Research Assistant, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
• 2000-2002, Research Assistant, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Courses

• BHAN 342: Intro to Adapted Physical Activity
• BHAN 324: Measurement and Evaluation
• BHAN 319: Health Related Fitness
• BHAN 403: Practicum in Adapted Physical Activity
• BHAN 400, Student Teaching Supervision
• BHAN 445: Health, Physical Activity, and Disability

Recent Publications

• Obrusnikova, I., & Dillon, S. R. (in press). Students’ beliefs and intentions to play with peers with disabilities in physical education: The role of achievement goals and social goals. Journal of Teaching Physical Education.
• Obrusnikova, I., Bibik, J., Cavalier, A. R., & *Manley, K. (2012). Integrating therapy dog teams into a physical activity program for children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 83(6), xx.
• Obrusnikova, I., Dillon, S. R., Block, M. E., & Davis, T. (2012). Validation of the children’s beliefs and intentions to play with peers with disabilities in middle school physical education scale. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. 24, 35-51. DOI: 10.1007/s10882-011-9253-1.
• Obrusnikova, I., & *Miccinello, L. D. (2012). Parent perceptions of factors influencing after-school physical activity of children with autism spectrum disorders. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. 29, 63-80.
• Obrusnikova, I., & Dillon, S. R. (2011). Validation of the inventory of teaching challenges for inclusive physical education: Autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 23, 563-579. DOI: 10.1007/s10882-011-9249-x.
• Obrusnikova, I., & Cavalier, A. (2011). Perceived barriers and facilitators of participation in after-school physical activity by children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 23, 195-211. DOI 10.1007/s10882-010-9215-z.
• Obrusnikova, I., & Dillon, S. R. (2011). Challenging situations when teaching children with autism spectrum disorders in general physical education. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. 28, 113-131.
• Obrusnikova, I., & Cavalier, A. (2011). Perceived barriers and facilitators of participation in after-school physical activity by children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 23, 195-211. DOI 10.1007/s10882-010-9215-z.
• Obrusnikova, I., Dillon, S. R., & Block, M. E. (2011). Middle school student intentions to play with peers with disabilities in physical education: Development and Initial Validation. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 23, 113-127. DOI 10.1007/s10882-010-9210-4.
• Obrusnikova, I., Block, M. E., & Dillon, S. R. (2010). Children’s beliefs toward cooperative playing with peers with disabilities in physical education. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 27, 127-142.
• Obrusnikova, I., & Kelly, L. E. (2009). Caseloads and job responsibilities of public school adapted physical educators in the United States. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 109(3), 1-10.
• Obrusnikova, I. (2008). Physical educators’ beliefs about teaching children with disabilities. Perceptual and Motor Skills. 106, 637-644.
• Block, M. E., & Obrusnikova, I. (2007). Inclusion in physical education: A review of the literature from 1995-2005. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 24, 103-124.
• Obrusnikova, I., Block, M. E., & Válková, H. (2003). Impact of inclusion in general physical education on students without disabilities. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 20, 230-245.

Book Chapters

• Block, M. E., & Obrusnikova, I. (2007). What is inclusion? In M.E. Block (Ed.), A teacher's guide to including children with disabilities in general physical education (3rd ed., pp.15-28). Baltimore: P. H. Brookes.
• Block, M. E., & Obrusnikova, I. (2007). Facilitating social inclusion. In M.E. Block (Ed.), A teacher's guide to including children with disabilities in general physical education (3rd ed., pp. 173-185). Baltimore: P. H. Brookes.

Honors, Awards and Major Professional Offices Held

• Christina Board of Education Citizenship Award, Christina School District, 2012.
• Editorial board member (2011-2014) and abstractor (2009-2013) for the Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly.
• Research Consortium Fellow, American Alliance for Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 2011.
• National Consortium for Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities, Member-at-Large, 2011-2013.
• North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity, Secretary, 2008-2012.
• 1st Prize Merit Award - Pediatrics. Women & Children’s Health Research Conference. . University of Delaware, Newark.
• International Travel Award. Received funding to attend the 2009 International Symposium in Adapted Physical Activity, Gavle, Sweden.
• Fulbright-Palacky Grant: Council for International Exchange of Scholars, University of Virginia, 2000.
• Socrates/Erasmus Scholarship: European Masters Degree in Adapted Physical Activity, Catholic University, Leuven, Belgium, 1999.