Janet Farmer

Title: Director of the Thompson Family Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background: As the director of this interdisciplinary initiative, Farmer is responsible for establishing a research center of excellence on autism and other brain-based disorders in children and for enhancing growth in related service and educational programs. The center includes faculty from the School of Medicine, School of Health Professions, College of Education, College of Human Environmental Sciences and Truman School of Public Affairs. Farmer's own research investigates ways to improve outcomes in children with chronic health conditions and their families. She has served for 10 years on the faculty of a Health Resources and Services Administration Maternal and Child Health interdisciplinary training grant in neurodevelopmental disabilities and also has been a preceptor for the NIH T32 Rehabilitation Research training grant. Farmer is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and holds a diplomat in rehabilitation psychology.

Education: PhD, clinical psychology, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1991

Speaking Topic: Children with autism and other neurological conditions; children with special health care needs; and family supports