Jessica R. Dykstra Steinbrenner PhD, CCC-SLP

Dr. Jessica Dykstra Steinbrenner, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an advanced research scientist at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is also an adjunct assistant professor in the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences and the School of Education, and is a certified speech-language pathologist. Her research interests are in the area of autism spectrum disorder with a focus on school-based interventions and individuals on the spectrum with significant communication needs. She is also interested in observational measurement, and has worked to adapt and use observational coding systems for social-communication and engagement.

Dr. Steinbrenner is currently working on the Center on Secondary Education for Students with ASD (CSESA) follow-up study and the Supporting paraprofessional-Teachers use of Evidence-based practices with Learners with Autism Research project (STELAR), and serves as assistant director for the National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice (NCAEP). She previously served as principal investigator on an applied research grant funded by the Organization for Autism Research titled “Improving Social-Communication and Engagement of Elementary Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Adapting a Preschool Intervention for Elementary School Classrooms”.

Prior to returning for her research degree, Dr. Steinbrenner worked as a speech-language pathologist with elementary and middle school children with autism and other developmental disabilities. She has over 10 years of experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum.