Christina Simmons, Ph.D.
Christina Simmons, Ph.D.
Christina Simmons, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Biography
Education:
BA (Psychology; Spanish Language, Literature, & Culture), Syracuse University
MA (School Psychology), University of Georgia
PhD (School Psychology), University of Georgia
Post-doctoral (Severe Behavior), Munroe-Meyer Institute, Univ. of Nebraska Medical Center
Research Expertise:
Behavioral Assessment and Treatment of Severe Behavior | Caregiver Training | Technological Innovations to Support Autistic Individuals
My research focuses on promoting socially valid outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder who engage in severe unsafe and interfering behavior. Toward that goal, I am exploring how to best consider autistic individuals’ preferences and facilitate caregiver involvement in the assessment, treatment, and maintenance of treatment effects. My recent work focuses on developing and evaluating technological innovations to support autistic individuals across settings, including virtual reality behavioral training for parents and healthcare professionals, remotely delivered parental well-being interventions, and app-based healthcare supports.
Honors and Awards:
2024 NIH R15 Grant; Virtual reality parent training, $426,234
2024 Innovation in Teaching Using Technology grant, Rowan University
2023 NJ Dept of Health Grant; Virtual reality healthcare professional training, $300,000
2020 Top 10% of most downloaded articles in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
2016 Certificate in Interdisciplinary Care in Developmental Disabilities, Munroe-Meyer Institute
2012 Del Jones Memorial Award, University of Georgia
2010-2011 Fulbright Fellowship, United States Department of State (Spain)
Member of:
Association for Behavior Analysis International (https://www.abainternational.org)
International Society for Autism Research (https://www.autism-insar.org/)
National Association of School Psychologists (https://www.nasponline.org/)
Recent Publications:
Association for Behavior Analysis International (https://www.abainternational.org)
International Society for Autism Research (https://www.autism-insar.org/)
National Association of School Psychologists (https://www.nasponline.org/)
Recent Publications:
Tremoulet, P. D., Lobo, A. F., Simmons, C. A., Baliga, G., & Brady, M. (2024). Assessing the usability and feasibility of digital assistant tools for direct support professionals: Participatory design and pilot testing. JMIR Human Factors, 11, e51612.
Simmons, C. A., Tremoulet, P. D., Lecakes, G. D., Williams, G. J., Almon, A. S., Mandayam, S. (2023). User-centered prototype development and pilot test of a virtual reality training for parents of children with autism. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting 2023. Washington, DC. SAGE Publications.
Simmons, C. A., Moretti, A. E., & Lobo, A. F., & Tremoulet, P. D. (2023). Direct support professionals’ perspectives on using technology to support adults with autism spectrum disorder: A mixed-methods study. JMIR Formative Research, 7, e40722.
Moretti, A. E. & Simmons, C. A. (2023). Psychology doctoral students’ satisfaction with virtual supervision during COVID-19. Training and Education in Professional Psychology. 17(2), 176-184.
