Expertise

Research Interests:

  • My research is conducted through a health equity lens, seeking to address the effects of systemic marginalization on underserved autistic youth. I am deeply committed to community-engaged research methods that center the needs of autistic individuals and their families. Using equity informed implementation science methods and frameworks, my research is aimed at improving access to quality, effective care for autistic individuals across the lifespan. I also have experience conducting intervention research for autistic individuals. I am interested in the integration of neurodiversity affirming practices and self-determination theory into these interventions and in partnering with autistic individuals and their families on this work. 
  • In addition to research, I work closely with the Regional Autism Network to provide psychoeducation and professional development to providers, educators, and parents in the South. I also serve as the Co-Chair Elect for the Autism Special Interest Group within the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT).
Affiliations

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Alabama

Postdoctoral Fellow, Penn Center for Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System, University of Pennsylvania

Degrees
BS, Northwest Missouri State University, Psychology
MSc, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Clinical Child Psychology
PhD, Virginia Tech, Clinical Psychology