Maria Elisabete Mendes completed her Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Porto (2010). Master's degree in Educational Psychology at the Instituto Universitário de Ciências Psicológicas, Sociais e da Vida (2002), Advanced Diploma in Educational Psychology at ISPA in collaboration with the University of Bristol (1990), and a Bachelor's degree in Educational Psychology at the Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada (1985). She worked as a psychologist at the Centro de Recuperação Infantil de Ponte de Sor (1987-1990) and at the National Federation of Social Solidarity Cooperatives [FENACERCI], where she coordinated the National Training Office (1991-2000) and was responsible for implementing various European projects related to the inclusion of children and youth with developmental disability. Currently, she is as an Associate Professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre (IPP) - School of Education and Social Sciences (since 2000). She is a member of the Department of Education and Training, Vice-President of the Scientific Council, member of the Pedagogical Council, and she is also part of the Ethics Committee. At IPP she is responsible for the Program to Support Students with Special Needs. Her areas of expertise include Educational and Social Sciences. As a faculty member, she is responsible for different curriculum units, coordinates the Master's programs in Special Education and in Preschool Education, and guides dissertations. She has published articles in specialized journals and books. In her curriculum, the most frequent terms in the context of scientific production are inclusion, disabilities, alternative communication, at-risk children, early childhood intervention, and quality of practices.