Meet our Lab

My research and teaching interests focus on assessment and intervention for problem behaviors exhibited by children with autism, emotional/behavioral disorders, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. I am especially interested in translating basic research in behavioral psychology to inform practice in clinical and school settings. In addition, I am interested in motivation for tasks involving language and literacy in children with disabilities. Finally, I do research on the development and phenomenology of repetitive behaviors and selective mutism in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

I am a Ph.D. student in the psychology research program at BYU studying the effects of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on parents and families. My research interests include Acceptance Commitment Therapy as a form of treatment for stress, anxiety, and depression in ASD parents; dyadic coping as a type of relationship therapy in the instance of ASD induced marital strain; and ASD specific testing to improve awareness of needs in those affected by autism. My ultimate desire is to pursue a fulfilling career in ASD family functioning research. I blend my practical experience, as a mother of an autistic child, with my research, hoping to improve lives of those impacted by autism.