Charlotte DiStefano
Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) / University of California, Los Angeles
IMPACT Network Site Lead Psychologist, Clinical Coordinating Center Team Member
Dr. Charlotte DiStefano is a clinical psychologist who specializes in neurodevelopmental disorders and related neurogenetic syndromes. She is an Assistant Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at the University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
After receiving a BS in Special Education from New York University and an EdM in Mind Brain and Education from Harvard University, Dr. Charlotte DiStefano received her PhD in Psychological Studies in Education from University of California Los Angeles. She completed her postdoctoral training in developmental neuroscience at the UCLA Center for Autism Research. Before earning her PhD, Dr. DiStefano worked as a special education teacher in both New York City and Los Angeles.
Dr. DiStefano’s primary research interests are language and cognitive development in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly those who are minimally verbal. Her work has been funded by the Dup15q Syndrome Alliance, Angelman Syndrome Foundation, Autism Science Foundation, Autism Speaks and National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders.
Clinically, Dr. DiStefano is the Lead Psychologist for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Services in the Developmental and Behavioral Health Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she oversees evaluation and treatment of children with neurodevelopmental disorders.