• Emily Coderre PhD

Department: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Email: Emily.Coderre@uvm.edu 
Research Focus: My research focuses on understanding language deficits in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), specifically deficits in semantics, or the meaning of language. I use a variety of behavioral, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging methodologies to explore language functions, as well as the brain activity and connectivity underlying these functions, in individuals with ASD.
Methodological Approaches: EEG, neuroimaging, behavioral

For more information, click here for her personal website and here for additional information. 

• Dr. Deborah Hirtz M.D. 

Email: Deborah.Hirtz@uvmhealth.org
Educational and Clinical Experiences: Deborah Hirtz is a pediatric neurologist who joined the faculty of the University of Vermont in 2015. After training in Pediatrics and Child Neurology in Washington DC, she had a long career as a program officer at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, where she mentored and collaborated with many investigators, and participated in many networks and clinical trials. At UVM, her passion is to mentor investigators in clinical research. In addition to CP, autism, and developmental disorders, she is particularly interested in the effects of environmental toxins on child development.

For more information, click here. 

• Laura Lewis PhD, LN

Department: Nursing
Email: Laura.Lewis@med.uvm.edu
Research Focus: My research explores social experiences of adults on the autism spectrum, such as intimate relationships, parenting experiences, and LGBTQIA+ issues.  I am particularly interested in how these social experiences impact identity formation and health.
Methodological Approaches: qualitative research; interviews; online surveys 

For more information, click here. 

• Patricia Prelock PhD, SLP

Department: Communication Sciences & Disorders
Email: patricia.prelock@uvm.edu
Research Focus: Nature and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders  (joint attention training, parent training, emotion regulation, theory of mind, social stories & comic strip conversations, peer play)
Methodological Approaches: Single-subject, multiple baseline designs; descriptive research, including analysis of direct observation as well as interview/questionnaire data
Data Analysis Tools: SPSS, SALT, SIGMA PLOT 

For more information, click here. 

• Shelley Velleman PhD, SLP

Department: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Email: Shelley.Velleman@med.uvm.edu
Research Focus: I specialize in the speech development and challenges of children with various syndromes, including Williams syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, and 7q11.23 duplication syndrome, most of which include developmental disability as a common feature.
Methodological Approaches: Phonological transcription and analysis; standardized assessments; quantitative descriptive research 

For more information, click here. 

• Valerie Wood PhD

Department: Education; Center on Disability and Community Inclusion
Email: Valerie.Wood@uvm.edu
Research Focus: Interests include organizational change and system level improvement, positive youth development, community psychology, and conflict resolution.
Methodological Approaches: Quantitative and qualitative approaches 

For more information, click here. 

• Molly Bumpass MEd, CCC/SLP, BCBA

Position: Clinical Assistant Professor
Department: Communication Sciences & Disorders
Office Location: Autism Assessment Clinic, UHC St. Joseph’s Room 3212D, 1 South Prospect, Burlington, VT 05401
Email: molly.bumpas@uvmhealth.org 
Education: Master of Education, Speech-Language Pathology, University of Virginia; Board Certification in Applied Behavior Analysis, University of North Texas
Educational and Clinical Experiences: Molly is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She serves on an interdisciplinary team in the Autism Assessment Clinic within the Vermont Center for Children, Youth and Families.  She also teaches an intensive caregiver training program for families with young children on the autism spectrum (Hanen More Than Words). Before coming to UVM, Molly worked in the field of autism in varying capacities. She served on an Autism Clinical Team in South Burlington Schools for ten years providing consultation and training. Most recently she was a Program Director at SD Associates where she started an early intensive behavior intervention program. Areas of interest include interprofessional practice in autism treatment as well as evidence-based practices in autism early intervention.

For more information, click here. 

• Elizabeth Forbes MD  

Department: Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics
Email: Elizabeth.Forbes@uvmhealth.org
Research Focus: Access to resources and treatment in children with a new diagnosis of autism. 

For more information, click here. 

• Melissa M. Houser MD  

• Hope Morris, M.S., CCC-SLP

Job Title: Adjunct Professor
Department: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Email: hope.morris@med.uvm.edu
Research Focus: Theory of mind in children on the autism spectrum
Methodological Approaches: Intervention studies of caregiver-implemented curricula/programs

• Michael Schor LCSW

Occupation: Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Email: Michael.shor@gmail.com
Professional Specialties: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, applied behavior analysis, DIR/Floortime, spiritual and mindfulness
Role on the Collaborative: Michael is a self-advocate and qualified professional that offers meaningful points of discussion and valued insight regarding project development and research design. He was one of the first self-advocates on the committee and has been a dedicated member ever since joining.

For more information, click here.

• Michael Shor LCSW

Occupation: Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Email: Michael.shor@gmail.com 
Professional Specialties: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, applied behavior analysis, DIR/Floortime, spiritual and mindfulness
Role on the Collaborative: Michael is a self-advocate and qualified professional that offers meaningful points of discussion and valued insight regarding project development and research design. He was one of the first self-advocates on the committee and has been a dedicated member ever since joining.

For more information, click here. 

• Nicole Villemaire