About the Work Group on Autism Research and Training

K-CART Affiliated Research Faculty and Staff

The Kansas Center for Research and Training initiative has drawn more than 40 faculty members from across the University of Kansas, Kansas University Medical Center and other KU research groups – all with research interests and/or clinical practices in Autism Spectrum Disorders and from a range of disciplines and departments including cognitive neuroscience, psychiatry, and behavioral, clinical and developmental psychology, special education, occupational and speech therapy. Additionally, the group includes two faculty members who are also attorneys with distinguished histories of representing the interests of families with children with disabilities. Another asset is KUMC’s Hoglund Brain Imaging Center, a regional resource engaged in activities at the forefront of neuroscientific endeavor and also a K-CART affiliate.

* Executive Planning Committee Members

Name Affiliation Research/Training Area/Roles Personal Profile
Anderson, Christa Doctoral student, Life Span Institute Neuroscience Profile
Baggett, Kathleen Assistant Research Professor, Juniper Gardens Children’s Project Parent-child interaction, early intervention and assessment Profile
Brady, Nancy Associate Professor, Life Span Studies Pre-linguistic communication, milieu teaching, Fragile X Profile
Carlson, Susan Professor, KUMC School of Allied Health Developmental nutrition Profile
Carta, Judy Senior Scientist and Professor, Juniper Gardens Children’s Project Lead family advisory group Profile
Cheatham, Carol Research Assistant Professor, KUMC School of Allied Health Developmental cognitive neuroscience
Colombo, John* Director, Life Span Institute Neuroscience Profile
Daniels, Debby Clinical Instructor, KUMC Center for Child Health and Development Pre-service, outreach training Profile
Dozier, Claudia Assistant Professor, KU Department of Applied Behavioral Science Pre-service, Applied Behavioral Sciences services Profile
Dunn, Winnie Professor/Chairperson, Occupational Therapy Education, KUMC School of Allied Health Occupational therapy Profile
Ellerbeck, Kathy Developmental Pediatrician, KUMC Center for Child Health and Development Biomedical research; diagnostics Profile
Freeman, Rachel Associate Research Professor, KU Center on Developmental Disabilities Outreach training; Positive Behavior Support Profile
Heitzman-Powell, Linda* Assistant Research Professor, Juniper Gardens Children’s Project Clinical, Applied Behavioral Analysis, training Profile
Hellings, Jessica* Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, KUMC Biomedical research Profile
Henry, Karen* Assistant Director for Communications, Life Span Institute Public relations, dissemination, web site
Hodgesmith, Martha Research Association, Research and Training Center on Independent Living Community agencies, legal issues Profile
Horn, Eva Professor, KU Department of Special Education Pre-service training, early education Profile
Kamps, Debra* Associate Director and Senior Scientist, Juniper Gardens Children’s Project School-based services, training Profile
LeBlanc, Judy Professor Emerita, KU Department of Applied Behavioral Science Training, family support, center administration
Mayo, Liliano Honorary Associate Professor, KU Department of Applied Behavioral Science Training, family support, center administration
McCart, Amy Research Assistant Professor, Beach Center on Disability Positive Behavior Support, school-based support Profile
Olson, Kathleen Associate Scientist, Life Span Institute at Parsons Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change Profile
Palmer, Susan Research Associate Professor, KU Center on Developmental Disabilities Transition to adult life, assistive technology Profile
Parent, Wendy Research Associate Professor, KU Center on Developmental Disabilities Transition from school to work, supported and customized employment Profile
Perrin, Nan Director, Early Childhood Autism Program, Community Living Opportunities Early intervention, Applied Behavioral Science
Reese, Matt* Director, KUMC Center for Child Health and Development Diagnostics, intervention, training Profile
Rice, Mabel Director, KU Biobehavioral Neurosciences in Communication Disorders Center Language development and impairment; communication disorders; social and communication predictors in siblings Profile
Rinner, Louann Occupational Therapist and Training Coordinator, KUMC Center for Child Health and Development Outreach training Profile
Sack, Sara Research Associate Professor, Life Span Institute at Parsons Assistive technology Profile
Saunders, Kate Senior Scientist, Life Span Institute at Parsons Pre-service, Applied Behavioral Analysis services Profile
Savage, Cary Director, Funtional MRI, KUMC Hoglund Brain Imaging Center Asperger’s Syndrome, learning strategies Profile
Sherman, Jim Professor, KU Department of Applied Behavioral Science Applied Behavioral Analysis services, early childhood intervention Profile
Simpson, Rich Professor, KU Department of Special Education Pre-service training, school-based services Profile
Summers, Jean Ann Research Associate Professor, Beach Center on Disability Parent support, advocacy Profile
Thiemann-Bourque, Kathy Research Assistant Professor, Juniper Gardens Children’s Project Outreach training; research Profile
Thompson, Barb Associate Professor, KU Department of Special Education Pre-service, early childhood Profile
Turnbull, Ann Co-Founder, Co-Director, Beach Center on Disability Parent, advocacy Profile
Turnbull, Rud Co-Founder, Co-Director, Beach Center on Disability Parent, advocacy Profile
Underwood, Danielle KUMC Parent, family supports, advocacy
Warren, Steve Vice Provost, Research and Graduate Studies Administrative, speech and language Profile
Wegner, Jane Director, Schiefelbusch Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic Augmentative and Alternative Communication, ASD Profile
Wehmeyer, Mike Director, KU Center on Developmental Disabilities Administrative support, transition to work and adult life; assistive technology Profile
Young, Phyllis Parent Educator, KUMC Center for Child Health and Development Parent, family supports, advocacy Profile

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