Post-Doctoral Associate in Developmental Disabilities

Overview

The Autism Spectrum and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Service at the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development Sheila

C. Johnson Center for Clinical Services (SJC) is seeking applications for two full-time postdoctoral positions. The incumbent will provide psychological evaluations and associated services to individuals and families in an outpatient setting. The focus of the position is on specialized and comprehensive evaluation services to toddlers, children, adolescents, and adults presenting with concerns related to neurodevelopmental disorders. Common differential diagnoses include autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, developmental delay, language disorder, intellectual disability, anxiety/mood disorders, and learning disabilities.

Participation on a stepped-care interdisciplinary autism assessment team is a core part of postdoctoral training; children are referred to this team from UVA Children’s Hospital providers and often present with medical complexities (i.e., genetic disorders, congenital heart disease, cerebral palsy, seizures).

Postdoctoral Associates in this clinic work collaboratively with providers and trainees from other disciplines, including psychology, speech-language pathology, developmental pediatrics, and family navigation. They take part in all aspects of evaluation, including diagnostic interviews, planning test batteries, test administration and interpretation, providing feedback to parents, report writing, and follow-up. Experience with comprehensive assessment (i.e., cognitive, achievement, social/behavioral, adaptive) and gold standard autism diagnostic tools (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition) is preferred.

Although Postdoctoral Associates  primary responsibilities include supervised and interdisciplinary evaluations, working towards professional autonomy/expertise, they may also engage in outpatient, evidence-based intervention with children, adolescents, or young adults with autism/developmental disability. The SJC provides parent training interventions for challenging behavior in the context of developmental disabilities (e.g., sleep problems, toileting problems, mild behavioral feeding problems, and adaptive skill deficits), parent training for building social communication skills in toddlers with autism, evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for co-occurring anxiety spectrum problems, as well as emotional regulation, social skills, and executive functioning interventions.

Evidence-based group interventions address social skills in children, adolescents, and young adults.

Postdoctoral Associates participate in the Blue Ridge Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Program, which provides interdisciplinary training for future leaders in the field of developmental disabilities. Opportunities also exist to take part in clinical research, program development, and community outreach.