I am interested in working with neurodivergent children, including those with autism and ADHD, and their families as both a clinician and researcher. My primary research interest is in creating and evaluating interventions and screening programs for these populations. Specifically, my research has focused on developing the evidence base for low-cost interventions that are more accessible to underserved groups, including Hispanic/Latine populations in both the U.S. and Latin America, who experience severe disparities in service utilization. I am also interested in differences in autism identification in medical and school settings.
Publications
Safer-Lichtenstein, J., Kenworthy, L., Verbalis, A., Ba, C., Mikulich-Gilbertson, S.K., Anthony, B.J., & Anthony, L.G. (2024). Observing executive functioning of neurodivergent students and supporting practices of their teachers in the classroom. Neurodiversity. https://doi.org/10.1177/27546330241258817
Troxel, M., Kraper, C., Verbalis, A., Safer-Lichtenstein, J., Kenworthy, L., Seese, S., Ratto, A.B., Myrick, Y., Armour, C., Pugliese, C., Strang, J., Luong-Tran, C., Martucci, J., Biel, M., Jackson, V., Hardy, K., Mandell, D., Anthony, B.J. & Anthony, L.G. (2024). Reaching “the other half”: Teacher referral increases inclusivity in intervention research for neurodivergent school-age children. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 1-14. https://10.1080/15374416.2024.2303723
Safer-Lichtenstein J, McIntyre LL, Rodriguez G, Gomez D, Puerta S, Neece CL. Feasibility and Acceptability of Spanish-Language Parenting Interventions for Young Children With Developmental Delays. Intellect Dev Disabil. 2023 Aug 1;61(4):307-325. PubMed PMID: 37536693
Safer-Lichtenstein, J., Hamilton, J., & McIntyre, L. (2023). Impact of state-level changes to school-based autism identification criteria. Journal of Applied School Psychology, 39(5), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/15377903.2023.2182857
Zemantic PK, Kurtz-Nelson EC, Barton H, Safer-Lichtenstein J, McIntyre LL. Family Empowerment: Predicting Service Utilization for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2022 Nov;52(11):4986-4993. PubMed PMID: 34800228
Rothschild LB, Ratto AB, Kenworthy L, Hardy KK, Verbalis A, Pugliese C, Strang JF, Safer-Lichtenstein J, Anthony BJ, Anthony LG, Guter MM, Haaga DAF. Parents matter: Parent acceptance of school-based executive functions interventions relates to improved child outcomes. J Clin Psychol. 2022 Jul;78(7):1388-1406. PubMed PMID: 34997971
Safer-Lichtenstein J, Hamilton J, McIntyre LL. School-Based Autism Rates by State: An Analysis of Demographics, Political Leanings, and Differential Identification. J Autism Dev Disord. 2021 Jul;51(7):2271-2283. PubMed PMID: 32926306
McIntyre, L. L., Neece, C. L., Sanner, C. M., Rodriguez, G., & Safer-Lichtenstein, J. (2021). Telehealth delivery of a behavioral parent training program to Spanish- speaking Latinx parents of young children with developmental delay: Applying an implementation framework approach. School Psychology Review, 51(2), 206-220. https://doi.org/10.1080/2372966X.2021.1902749
Safer-Lichtenstein, J., & McIntyre, L. L. (2020). Comparing autism symptom severity between children with a medical autism diagnosis and an autism special education eligibility. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 35(3), 186–192. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357620922162
Safer-Lichtenstein, J., Reardon, K., & McIntyre, L. L. (2020). Does location matter? A single state case study examining geographic differences in school-based ASD identification practices. Journal of Applied School Psychology. Journal of Applied School Psychology, 37(2), 185–196. https://doi.org/10.1080/15377903.2020.1821270
Safer-Lichtenstein J, Hamilton JC, McIntyre LL. Examining Demographics in Randomized Controlled Trials of Group-Based Social Skills Interventions for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2019 Aug;49(8):3453-3461. PubMed PMID: 31119512
Kunze, M., Drew, C., Machalicek, W., Safer-Lichtenstein, J., & Crowe, B. (2019). A systematic examination of the influence of interventionist language on mands using a speech generating device. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 12, 777-781. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-019-00379-w
Ratto AB, Anthony BJ, Pugliese C, Mendez R, Safer-Lichtenstein J, Dudley KM, Kahn NF, Kenworthy L, Biel M, Martucci JL, Anthony LG. Lessons learned: Engaging culturally diverse families in neurodevelopmental disorders intervention research. Autism. 2017 Jul;21(5):622-634. PubMed PMID: 27313190
Clinical Interests
My main clinical interests include children with autism, ADHD, executive functioning, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. I am also bilingual and have an interest in working with Spanish-speaking families.
General Information
Graduate Schools:
PhD, University of Oregon
(2022)
Undergraduate Schools:
BS, Ursinus College (PA)
(2012)
Internships:
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Program
(2022)
Fellowships:
University of Colorado, Developmental Psychobiology
(2024)