Social Work
Kara Whittaker, LMSW, is a second-year social PhD student at Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. She earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Chicago. As a licensed social worker and former special education teacher, Kara has dedicated her career to partnering with and advocating for people with disabilities and their families. Her research interests include faith and disability, disability-related beliefs and attitudes, congregational inclusion, and the experiences of nonspeaking autistic people and their families. Kara lives in Longview, Texas, with her husband and three sons, the oldest of whom has nonspeaking autism.