My career has been dedicated to improving the lives of autistic children and adults - and their families - through clinical practice, research, training, and advocacy. My clinical focus is on assessing and diagnosing autism in people of all ages. I have advanced training and years of experience with very young children (under 36 months). Over the past 15 years, I have diagnosed hundreds of children in this age range. I am committed to helping families move forward, both practically and emotionally, following an autism diagnosis. My goal is to help you navigate a path for your child that is neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based, and that fits with your family’s needs and values.

I received my bachelor’s degree from Tufts University and my PhD in Clinical Psychology (concentrations in Neuropsychology and Clinical Child Psychology) from the University of Connecticut. I completed an APA-accredited clinical internship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for Autism Research and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center at CHOP.

I am currently an Associate Research Professor in the Early Detection and Intervention Program at the AJ Drexel Autism Institute. I have published over 25 peer-reviewed scholarly articles, with the majority focused on autism diagnosis or communication skills.

My research on young children focuses on improving processes for autism diagnosis so that children can enter interventions as early as possible.

My research on adults focuses on improving communication experiences for autistic people. I use participatory methods, which means that autistic and intellectually disabled community members work with me to help make important decisions about our projects.

Finally, I am committed to educating the broader public about autism and disability justice, so I make an active effort to publish articles written for non-scientists as well.