Connie Anderson, Ph.D.

Health Sciences Department Chair, Associate Professor, Autism Studies Graduate Certificate Director

Name

Contact Info

Phone:
410-704-4640
Office:
Health Professions, Rm. 3120 P
Email:
connieanderson@towson.edu
Hours:
Monday 10:00am - 1:00pm

Education

PhD, Sociology and Marriage & Family Therapy, University of Southern California, 2000
Graduate Certificate in Gender Studies, University of Southern California, 2000
Master of International Business Administration, Monterey Institute of International Studies, 1985
BA, Political Science and Slavic Languages & Literature, University of California – Santa Barbara, 1981

Areas of Expertise

Autism and bullying
Outcomes for autistic young adults (e.g., postsecondary education, adult services, employment)
Autism in the schools

Biography

Dr. Connie Anderson is Chair of the Health Sciences Department and Director of the Graduate Certificate program in Autism Studies. Her professional path has been varied: She was a contracts administrator in an aerospace company, a consular assistant at the U. S. Embassy in Moscow, a family therapist, and Director of Operations of a non-profit. Having her own child on the autism spectrum launched her autism focused career, including a position as a Research Coordinator with Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Interactive Autism Network (IAN), a national online autism research project. At TU, she both mentors Autism Studies PhD students and prepares educators, mental health professionals, occupational therapists, child life specialists, and advocates with in-depth knowledge about autism while conducting research on autistic young adult outcomes and autism-focused practices in the schools.

Selected Publications

  • Anderson, C., Wood, C. I., Franklin, L., Iampieri, A., & Sarsony, C. (2024). “Getting autism”: Educators, parents, and autistic adults and teens reflect on the importance of teachers who understand. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06353-y

  • Anderson, C., Iampieri, A., Franklin, L., Daniels, A., Diehl, K., & Law, J. K. (2022). Re-consenting pediatric research participants as legal adulthood approaches: Lessons from the SPARK autism study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05774-x
  • Anderson, C., Butt, C., & Sarsony, C. (2021). Young adults on the autism spectrum and early employment-related experiences: Aspirations and obstacles. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(1), 88-105. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04513-4
  • Anderson, C., & Butt, C. (2018). Young adults on the autism spectrum: The struggle for appropriate services. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(11), 3912-3925. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3673-z
  • Anderson, C., Lupfer, A., & Shattuck, P. T. (2018). Barriers to receipt of services for young adults with autism. Pediatrics, 141(4), S300-S305. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-4300G
  • Hillman, J. L., & Anderson, C. (2018). It’s a battle and a blessing: The experience and needs of custodial grandparents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(1), 260-269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3761-0
  • Anderson, C., & Butt, C. (2017). Young adults on the autism spectrum at college: Successes and stumbling blocks. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(10), 3029-3039. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3218-x 

Research

Dr. Anderson conducts intensive, in-depth qualitative interviews to understand postsecondary education, service access, and employment outcomes for autistic young adults. These rich conversations yield fresh insights into their lived experiences and needs. She also investigates the challenges autistic students and their teachers face in public schools, illuminating barriers that can inform more effective supports and practices.

Professional Memberships/ Affiliations 

  • International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) – member since 2006.

Grants and Contracts 

  • 2020  “Parent and Youth Transition Hopes and Fears: Implications for Continued Engagement in SPARK,” Kennedy Krieger Institute/Simons Foundation: $112,800
    Principal Investigator
  • 2018  “The Role of Schools in Adult Outcomes for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Perspectives of Young Adults, Families, and Educators,” Organization for Autism Research: $18,650
    Co-Principal Investigator with Caroline Wood
  • 2016  “Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder after High School: Key Challenges and Targets for Institutional Change,” Organization for Autism Research: $25,000
    Principal Investigator
  • 2015  “Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder after High School: Successes and Challenges,”
    A. J. Drexel Autism Institute: $35,000
    Principal Investigator

Teaching

  • IDHP 621: Contemporary Issues for Infants and Children on the Autism Spectrum
  • IDHP 642: Program Design and Implementation in Autism
  • IDHP 650: Historical and Current Perspectives of Autism
  • IDHP 681: Seminar in Autism Spectrum Issues