Emily
PhD Developmental Psychology, expert in neurocognitive special needs
I am a cognitive development expert with 20 years of experience working with children and families with special needs. I completed my PhD in developmental psychology at the UC Davis MIND Institute, where I researched early intervention strategies for children with ASD, FXS, and ADHD. My earlier Master's work included research on developmental dyslexia. I also have a degree in pediatric nursing from The Johns Hopkins University, and before completing my doctorate, I was a home health case manager for families with children with special needs. As a private tutor, I work to create a program tailored for your child that also considers your whole family's specific needs. My goals are always to improve your child's school experience and sense of self-worth, but also to work with you to improve day-to-day household logistics and family-wide functioning. My approach is evidence-based and holistic: I have experience with both ABA and the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and I incorporate these principles into my work. I also use "brain training" techniques to address cognitive and information processing deficits that often underlie academic learning difficulties. I focus on anxiety and sensory processing issues; emotion regulation and coping; and social skills training. When appropriate, I will also consider potential factors related to medication and diet. I specialize in working with toddlers, children, and teens, though I have some experience with young adults as well. Please contact me for a full resume and references!