Autism Spectrum Disorder Fellowships
NYU Grossman School of Medicine offers two 12-month Autism Spectrum Disorder Fellowships in the Autism Spectrum Disorder Service at the Child Study Center, part of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone.
Our postdoctoral fellowships, offered through the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, are intended for psychologists who have successfully completed American Psychological Association (APA)–accredited doctoral program and an APA-approved internship, and who wish to refine their skills in assessing and treating individuals with autistic spectrum disorders, individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, and other co-occurring disorders.
The clinical director of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Research and Clinical Program is Lauren J. Donnelly, PhD.
Fellowship Training
For the 2024-2025 academic year, we are recruiting for two fellowship positions:
- evaluation track
- therapy and evaluation track.
Evaluation Track
Postdoctoral fellows applying for the autism evaluation track should be keenly interested in the assessment of autism spectrum disorder, neurodevelopmental disorders, and differential diagnosis of co-occurring disorders. Postdoctoral fellows perform autism diagnostic evaluations as well as psychiatric evaluations. You administer the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), cognitive assessments, language assessments, and developmental and psychiatric interviews. There are also opportunities to collaborate with our Neuropsychological and Learning Service on neuropsychological assessments. You perform evaluations across the lifespan, from toddlers through young adults. You also master writing comprehensive patient reports and designing treatment plans as well as performing school consultation and advocacy.
Fellows on the austim evaluation track perform about two evaluations per month and have the opportunity to provide individual therapy for a small caseload of patients. Evaluation track fellows also have the opportunity to participate in group therapy opportunities.
Fellows must be trained in the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) prior to their postdoctoral year. Research reliability in the ADOS-2 is a plus. Fellows must have a strong background in autism and neurodevelopmental evaluations.
Therapy and Evaluation Track
The Autism Therapy and Evaluation Track postdoctoral fellow performs autism diagnostic evaluations as well as psychiatric evaluations. You are trained in the assessment of autism and neurodevelopmental disorders and have the opportunity to hone differential diagnostic skills. You have the opportunity to assess individuals of a variety of ages and receive training in the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2). You also master writing comprehensive patient reports and designing treatment plans as well as performing school consultation and advocacy.
Fellows provide individual therapy, lead social skills groups, and provide training for parents and families of children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. You gain experience in performing evidence-based treatment specific to autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring psychiatric conditions. These treatments include the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS), RUBI Parent Training, cognitive behavioral therapy, and exposure and response prevention. You also have the opportunity to co-lead additional groups (e.g., sibling support groups and DBT-informed skills groups for autistic teens) with expert supervision.
You split your time between performing evaluations and therapy, performing at least one evaluation per month and carrying a caseload of individual therapy patients. You also co-lead at least one group per semester.
Fellows must have a strong background in autism and neurodevelopmental evaluations.
Training Opportunities
Formal didactics and professional development opportunities for fellows in both tracks include attendance at weekly Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Grand Rounds and case conferences at the Child Study Center (CSC). Fellows also have opportunities to provide supervision to trainees and consultations to psychiatry residents with the support of a licensed faculty supervisor.
Opportunities for scholarly activity are promoted. The Child Study Center is a comprehensive child and adolescent mental health center that conducts treatment, research, outreach, and education in the academic Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Langone. You have the opportunity to provide presentations and workshops as part of our NYC Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders.
The experiences of these post-doctoral fellowships are currently available through a combination of in-person and virtual work. Fellows are expected to be on-site approximately four days out of the week.
How to Apply
We accept postdoctoral fellowship applications for both the autism therapy evaluation track and the autism evaluation track on a rolling basis until December 22, 2023. Candidates may only apply for one track.
For both fellowship tracks, interested candidates should submit a CV, cover letter, three letters of recommendation, and a de-identified evaluation report you created for a child or adolescent with autism spectrum disorder or related developmental disability to csc-psychtraining@nyulangone.org. Please specify the training experience for which you are applying in the subject of your application email. All submissions should receive a receipt of confirmation within three-to-five business days. If you do not receive a confirmation, kindly resubmit the application.
Interviews are offered virtually, with the possibility of an in-person option, and take place in January.
The salary for this position is $70,000 and is commensurate with experience.