Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center

Members

Kasari, Connie, Ph.D.

Research

Social-emotional development of children with autism and of children with Down syndrome.

Appointments

  • Department of Education & Information Studies Education Faculty Education Studies Minor Human Development & Psychology Special Education

Biography

The overarching emphasis of Kasari’s academic career has been the development, evaluation, and dissemination of empirically supported assessment and treatment methods for high-risk children and children with established disabilities.

Her early work focused on the social and emotional abilities of children at risk due to prenatal alcohol exposure, and children with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities, including autism.

Her current work is focused on specific interventions aimed at improving social and emotional development in these high- risk populations.

Publications

  1. Caruthers, C, Hochheimer, S, Pellecchia, M, Gulsrud, A, Hassrick, EM, Mandell, D et al.. Comparison of Natural Language Processing and Traditional Qualitative Analyses of Caregiver Feedback From a Community-Based Intervention for Children With Autism. J Eval Clin Pract. 2026;32 (7):e70667. doi: 10.1111/jep.70667. PubMed PMID:42862943 .
  2. Seese, S, Matar, A, Mendes, L, Gulsrud, A, Kasari, C. Optimizing joint engagement in autism: considering toddler developmental abilities and caregiver stress. Front Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2026;5 :1858019. doi: 10.3389/frcha.2026.1858019. PubMed PMID:42548639 PubMed Central PMC13429639.
  3. Tillis, CH, Kasari, C, McDonald, N, Vobecky, M, Pizzano, M, Panganiban, J et al.. Attrition in a telehealth caregiver-mediated behavioral intervention for children with tuberous sclerosis complex: A mixed-methods study. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2026;68 (11):1621-1629. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.70384. PubMed PMID:42532668 PubMed Central PMC13649290.
  4. Kasari, C. Hope Is Not Enough: Assisted Typing Must Meet Scientific Standards. Autism Res. 2026;19 (5):e70266. doi: 10.1002/aur.70266. PubMed PMID:42159322 .
  5. Chang, YC, Shih, W, Kasari, C. Predictors of Play Development at Home After Parent-Mediated Early Intervention for Autistic Preschool Children. Behav Sci (Basel). 2026;16 (3):. doi: 10.3390/bs16030387. PubMed PMID:41898049 PubMed Central PMC13024617.
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