Donald D. Deshler (born 1947) is a leading expert on the education of special needs children. He was the director of the Center for Learning on Education at the University of Kansas. He was also the Gene A. Budig Professor of Special Education at the University of Kansas. Deshler was born in Butte, Montana. He worked at a junior high school teacher before he became involved in teaching educators and researching on educational practices. Deshler has a bachelor's degree from Whitman College and a masters of education and a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona.