Graduate Schools
- MA, Northern Arizona University (2010)
- PhD, University of Oregon (2020)
Undergraduate School
- BA, Northern Arizona University (AZ) (2007)
Internship
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Program (2020)
Fellowships
- University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Child Psychology Program, Psychology (2021)
Languages
EnglishDepartment
Psychiatry-Child-CHCProfessional Titles
- Assistant Professor
- Licensed Psychologist
- Clinical Director Intensive Services
Research Interests
My research interests focus on the development, evaluation, and dissemination of evidence-based interventions and behavioral health services for children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders. I am particularly interested in improving outcomes for youth with complex mental health needs, expanding access to specialized behavioral health services, and evaluating treatment approaches for challenging behaviors and co-occurring psychiatric conditions. My work also examines implementation strategies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and workforce development to promote the delivery of effective, equitable, and neurodiversity-affirming care.Publications
- Cole, A., Beck, B., Pham, A., Ryland, L., Luehring, M. C., & Margolis, E. (2026) Have you considered Catatonia? A case of regression in an 11-year-old with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Cerebral Palsy. Global Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
- Romani, P. W. & Luehring, M. C. (2025). Current Practices for the Assessment and Treatment of Severe Problem Behavior: A Colorado-Based Survey. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-025-01076-7
- Livingston, C.P., Charles, B.M., Jeglum, S.R., Luehring, M. C., & Kurtz, P. F. (2024). Comparison of Mand Acquisition and Preference in Children with Autism who Exhibit Problem Behavior. J Dev Phys Disabil. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-024-09988-y
- Romani, P. W., Hammad, I., & Luehring, M. C. (2024). COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Caregivers of Developmentally Disabled Youth. Clinical pediatrics, 63(1), 14–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/00099228231201717
- Luehring, M. C., Romani, P. W., & Ariefdjohan, M. (2024). Preliminary evaluation of behavior technician burnout when working with boarded and traditional psychiatric inpatients diagnosed with developmental disabilities. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 37(2), 1-6.
- Romani, P. W., Luehring, M., Trimble, D., & Ladyga, R. (2024). Intellectual disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders. In J. M. Leffler, A. D. Thompson, & S. S. Simmons. (Eds.) Handbook of evidence-based inpatient mental health programs for children and adolescents (Issues in Clinical Child Psychology). Berlin, Germany: Springer.
- Romani, P. W., Luehring, M. C., Koerner, A. M., & Baikie, S. M. (2024). Characterization and outcomes of profoundly and non-profoundly autistic individuals admitted to a specialized psychiatric inpatient unit. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 10.1007/s10803-024-06640-8. Advance online publication.
- Romani, P. W., Luehring, M. C., Hays, T. M., & Boorse, A. L. (2023). Comparisons of functional behavior assessment procedures to the functional analysis of problem behavior. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 23(1), 36–48. https://doi.org/10.1037/bar0000258
- Romani, P. W., Schwien, M., Boydstun, D., Hays, T., Lick, J., Luehring, M. C., & Richeson, B. (2023). The Effect of Napping on the Function of Problem Behavior for One Child With an Acquired Brain Injury. Clinical Case Studies, 22(3), 307-324. https://doi.org/10.1177/15346501221141491
- Luehring MC, McIntyre LL. Associations Between Parenting Behaviors and Behavioral Problems in Young Children With Developmental Delays. Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2023 Nov 1;128(6):481-493. PubMed PMID: 37875274
- Jeglum, S. R., Luehring, M. C., & Kurtz, P. F. (2022). Using competing stimuli with an adult with stereotypic skin picking: A case study of assessment, treatment, and generalization. Behavioral Interventions, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1870
- McIntyre, L. L., Kunze, M., Barton, H., & Luehring, M. (2021). Early intervention for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In APA handbook of intellectual and developmental disabilities: Clinical and educational implications: Prevention, intervention, and treatment, Vol. 2 (pp. 3-22). American Psychological Association.
- Gardner AW., Luehring MC., Romani PW, Carr C, Andrews JA. Screening tool for assessment and treatment decisions of problem behavior in pediatric healthcare. Clin. Pediatr. In press.
Practice Locations
Children's Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus13123 East 16th Ave
Aurora, CO 80045
720-777-1234
Hospital Affiliation
- Children's Hospital Colorado
Specialty Information
Specialties- Psychology
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Doctoral, Board Certification (2015)
- Nationally Certified School Psychologist, Board Certification (2011)
- Mental Health and Behavior - Anxiety
- Mental Health and Behavior
- Mental Health and Behavior - Depression
- Brain and Nervous System - Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Brain and Nervous System
- Mental Health and Behavior - Mood and Anxiety
- Mental Health and Behavior - Stress
- Brain and Nervous System - Intellectual Disability
- Mental Health and Behavior - Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Mental Health and Behavior - Intellectual Disability
- Mental Health and Behavior - Parent coaching
- Mental Health and Behavior - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Mental Health and Behavior - Trauma / PTSD
Clinical Interests
My clinical interests focus on the assessment and treatment of complex mental health needs among children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. I specialize in evidence-based behavioral and psychological interventions for co-occurring psychiatric conditions and challenging behaviors, particularly for youth requiring intensive or specialized behavioral health services. I am also interested in improving access to high-quality, individualized care and advancing clinical program development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and workforce training to better support neurodiverse youth and their families.
Care Philosophy
I believe effective care begins with understanding each child within the context of their strengths, needs, relationships, and environment. My approach integrates behavioral science and evidence-based psychological interventions within a neurodiversity-affirming, individualized framework. I strive to partner with families and interdisciplinary care teams to understand the factors contributing to a child's challenges, build meaningful skills, and identify practical strategies that improve quality of life. I value compassionate, collaborative care that respects each child's individuality, supports caregivers, and promotes access to the right services at the right time.
My clinical interests focus on the assessment and treatment of complex mental health needs among children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. I specialize in evidence-based behavioral and psychological interventions for co-occurring psychiatric conditions and challenging behaviors, particularly for youth requiring intensive or specialized behavioral health services. I am also interested in improving access to high-quality, individualized care and advancing clinical program development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and workforce training to better support neurodiverse youth and their families.
Care Philosophy
I believe effective care begins with understanding each child within the context of their strengths, needs, relationships, and environment. My approach integrates behavioral science and evidence-based psychological interventions within a neurodiversity-affirming, individualized framework. I strive to partner with families and interdisciplinary care teams to understand the factors contributing to a child's challenges, build meaningful skills, and identify practical strategies that improve quality of life. I value compassionate, collaborative care that respects each child's individuality, supports caregivers, and promotes access to the right services at the right time.