Emily Kuschner

Research Interests

My research focuses on cognitive and neuropsychological development in children with autism spectrum disorders and other non-autism developmental disabilities. Previous research has explored early developmental patterns of visuospatial disembedding and abstraction abilities in these populations. Current research is evaluating the relationship between these previously identified cognitive patterns and social functioning in children with autism spectrum disorders and Down syndrome.

My clinical interests focus on children (from infancy to adolescence) with neurodevelopmental disorders and general mental health concerns. Clinical work in assessment has included diagnostic evaluations in a general child psychiatry setting, diagnostic and cognitive assessments specifically for children with autism spectrum disorders, and cognitive evaluations for infants and toddlers who spent time in a neonatal intensive care unit after birth. Clinical treatment work has included individual and family therapy with children and adolescents, social skills group therapy (for both children with general social skills difficulties and children with autism spectrum disorders), and behavioral consultation for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Publications/Manuscripts

• Kuschner, E.S., Bennetto, L. & Yost, K. (2007). Patterns of nonverbal cognitive functioning in young children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(5), 795-807
• Bennetto, L, Kuschner, E.S., & Hyman, S.L. (in press). Olfaction and taste processing in autism. Manuscript accepted to Biological Psychiatry.
• Messinger, R.J., Mruzek, D.W., Davidson, P.W., & Kuschner, E.S. (in press). Disclosure of a diagnosis with parents and patients. In: McInerny, T.K., Adam, H.M., Campbell, D., Kamat, D.K., Kelleher, K.J., eds. Pediatric Primary Care, 5th Ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academic of Pediatrics.
• Bennetto, L., Kuschner, E.S., & Silverman, L.B. (in preparation). Food preferences in autism. Manuscript in preparation.
• Kuschner, E.S. and Bennetto, L. (in preparation). Visuospatial processing style and play in autism. Manuscript in preparation.
• Minshew, N., Kuschner, E.S., & Goldstein, G. (in preparation). Part-whole analysis and strategy formation in autism: the Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure. Manuscript in Preparation.

Presentations

• Kuschner, E.S. & Bennetto, L. (2007, April). Looking at the trees, but trying to play in the forest: Visuospatial processing and play in autism. Presented at The Association for the Study of Play Annual Conference, Rochester, NY.
• Kuschner, E.S. & Bennetto, L. (2007, March). Detail-Focused Visuospatial Processing Style and Pretend Play in Autism. Presented at the Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting, Boston, MA.
• Bennetto, L., Kuschner, E.S., & Silverman, L.B. (2005, Nov.). Taste processing and food preferences in high-functioning autism. Presented at the STAART/CPEA Annual Scientific Meeting, Bethesda, MD.
• Kuschner, E.S., Bennetto, L., & Silverman, L. (2005, May). Gustatory function and food preferences in high-functioning autism. Presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research, Boston, MA.
• Kuschner, E.S., Bennetto, L., & Yost, K. (2005, April). Visuospatial and abstraction abilities in young children with autism. Presented at the Social for Research in Child Developmental Biennial Meeting, Atlanta, GA.
• Kuschner, E.S., Bennetto, L., & Yost, K. (2004, May). Patterns of cognitive performance on the Leiter- R in children with autism spectrum disorders, non-autism developmental delays, and typical development. Presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research, Sacramento, CA.
• Minshew, N.J., Kuschner, E.S., & Goldstein, G. (2002, Nov.). Part-whole analysis and strategy formation in autism. Presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research, Orlando, FL.
• Livingston, K., Andrews, J., & Kuschner, E. (2002, Aug.). Is concept formation an age-independent process? Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society, Fairfax, VA.
• Riess, J.A., Ingellis, L.I., & Kuschner, E.S. (2000, Oct.). Working toward a Developmental Perspective of Inclusion. Presented at the National Association of Laboratory Schools' Northeast Regional Fall Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.

Additional Information

Research Assistant Positions Available: The Developmental Neuropsychology Lab, directed by Dr. Loisa Bennetto, is regularly recruiting research assistants to assist with projects and gain valuable experience in all phases of our research. Please contact me at kuschner@psych.rochester.edu or view our ad on the department website if you are interested.

Curriculum vitae is available upon request.