Hershey, Pennsylvania
New York, New YorkBeijing, China

Maria Efstratopoulou

Maria Efstratopoulou is the Head of the Department of Special and Gifted Education, College of Education, United Arab Emirates University. Her research interests are on Autism and Assessment and Diagnosis for children with Emotional, Behavioral and Developmental disorders and Intervention Strategies for professionals and families. She is an Active researcher in the field of Autism, ADHD, Eating Disorders and Psychological Support to Families. She is a Core member of The European Framework on Psychomotor Assessment for Children (EFP) – Research Unit. She is the author of 5 books and several research articles on Children’s behaviour, education and health.

Publications

Overcome Mental Health Challenges in Educational Settings: An In-Depth Guide on Effective Interventions and Practices
Overcome Mental Health Challenges in Educational Settings: An In-Depth Guide on Effective Interventions and Practices
Maria Efstratopoulou, Hawraa Habeeb, Jehan Osama Abdulla, Dingfei Shen. © 2025. 22 pages.
This chapter will not only delve into the rising interest in mental health among children and adolescents but also provide a comprehensive examination of school-based mental...
Caring for Mental Health of Vulnerable Minds: Well-Being and Mental Flow in Educational Settings
Caring for Mental Health of Vulnerable Minds: Well-Being and Mental Flow in Educational Settings
Agathi Argyriadi, Alexandros Argyriadis, Maria Efstratopoulou. © 2025. 24 pages.
Recent trends in educational research underscore the significance of cultivating mental flow to enhance well-being, especially for health-vulnerable individuals. Scholars have...
Are Children With Autism Safe Online?: Risks, Parental Mediation, and Wellbeing
Are Children With Autism Safe Online?: Risks, Parental Mediation, and Wellbeing
Layan Zuheir Abdulla, Maria Efstratopoulou. © 2025. 24 pages.
The chapter examines the online experiences of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), focusing on their unique vulnerabilities to internet-related risks. It explores...
Investigating the Impact of Physical Activity in Enhancing the Well-Being of Children Affected by Emotional, Behavioral, and Developmental Disorders
Investigating the Impact of Physical Activity in Enhancing the Well-Being of Children Affected by Emotional, Behavioral, and Developmental Disorders
Maria Efstratopoulou, Omniah Al Qahtani. © 2024. 18 pages.
Children's mental health problems have emerged from a long history of misunderstanding and neglect, becoming the central concern of researchers, educators, and practitioners....
Empowering All Students: Revolutionizing Education with Gamification, Project-Based Learning, and Inclusive Support
Empowering All Students: Revolutionizing Education with Gamification, Project-Based Learning, and Inclusive Support
Maria Efstratopoulou, Zubaida Shraim, Hadeel Saleh. © 2024. 14 pages.
This chapter focuses on innovative teaching strategies for students of determination in UAE. Gamification, project-based learning, and innovative use of technology in special...
Specific Learning Disabilities and Psychosocial Difficulties in Children
Specific Learning Disabilities and Psychosocial Difficulties in Children
Maria Sofologi, Georgios A. Kougioumtzis, Maria Efstratopoulou, Efthalia Skoura, Savvoula Sagia, Styliani Karvela, Panagiota Myrto Salli, Evangelia Makri, Eleni Bonti. © 2022. 24 pages.
Children with specific learning disorders (SLDs) exhibit academic difficulties disproportional to their intellectual capabilities. A significant percentage of school-aged...
Rethinking Inclusion and Transformation in Special Education
Rethinking Inclusion and Transformation in Special Education
Maria Efstratopoulou. © 2022. 348 pages.
Diversity creates a rich environment for ideas to evolve into new and more refined forms. This pedagogical approach can help students to appreciate and value all forms of...
Assistive Technology for Children With ADHD: Between Reality and the Desired
Assistive Technology for Children With ADHD: Between Reality and the Desired
Abeer Arafa Eldib, Maria Efstratopoulou, Hala Mutwalli Elhoweris. © 2022. 30 pages.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common disorders worldwide, affecting both children and adults. It has significant impacts on the social...
The Role of Assistive Technology in Teaching Children With ASD in UAE
The Role of Assistive Technology in Teaching Children With ASD in UAE
Omniah AlQahtani, Maria Efstratopoulou, Hala Elhoweris. © 2022. 19 pages.
Assistive technology can be defined as any device or equipment that assists in teaching new skills, augments existing skills, or reduces the impact of disability on daily...
Linguistically-Responsive Educational Framework for Multilingual Contexts: Supporting Children's Academic Achievement
Linguistically-Responsive Educational Framework for Multilingual Contexts: Supporting Children's Academic Achievement
Rasak Annayat Lone, Maria Efstratopoulou. © 2022. 18 pages.
It is estimated that 221 million primary-aged children from remote rural areas, linguistic minority, and ethnic communities who speak a different language at home and have no...
Accepting Diversity Before Fighting for Inclusion: First Moments of the Family After the Disability Diagnosis
Accepting Diversity Before Fighting for Inclusion: First Moments of the Family After the Disability Diagnosis
Alexandros Argyriadis, Maria Efstratopoulou, Agathi Argyriadi. © 2022. 15 pages.
Announcing the diagnosis of a disability constitutes a psycho-traumatic experience for parents. At the stage of diagnosis, the family experiences emotions that range from...