Research Overview

Dr. Harstad's research focuses primarily on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders.  She is  involved in ongoing data analyses of data collected from developmental behavioral pediatricians across several US academic medical centers to identify practice patterns for ADHD management.  Another one of her current projects related to ADHD is evaluating if stimulant medication used to treat ADHD affects  adult height; results show no loss of height in those who took stimulant medication during childhood.  Dr. Harstad is also involved in 2 separate studies investigating ways to identify children with developmental delays who are at highest risk of having an autism spectrum disorder.  In previous work she has shown that there is a disparity in receipt of special education services for children with autism spectrum disorders; higher maternal education levels are associated with increased likelihood of the child receiving special education.

 

Education

Graduate School

Clinical Effectiveness Harvard School of Public Health
Boston MA

Medical School

Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine
Chicago IL

Residency

Pediatrics Loyola University, Ronald McDonald Children's Hospital
Chicago IL

Fellowship

Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Boston Children's Hospital
Boston MA

Publications

  1. The Impact of Face Mask Use on Research Evaluations of 5-7 Year-Old Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2024 Nov 23. View Abstract
  2. Developmental and Psychiatric Conditions Among 5-7 Year Old Children with Non-persistent and Persistent Autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2024 Nov 09. View Abstract
  3. Diverse clinical presentation of SPTBN1 variants: Complex versus primary attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Am J Med Genet A. 2025 Jan; 197(1):e63851. View Abstract
  4. Types and Predictors of Service use Among Young Children Recommended to Receive Intensive Services After Initial Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis. J Autism Dev Disord. 2024 Jul 11. View Abstract
  5. Considerations in Early Autism Diagnosis-Reply. JAMA Pediatr. 2024 Apr 01; 178(4):417-418. View Abstract
  6. Rare De Novo and Inherited Genes in Familial and Nonfamilial Pediatric Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. JAMA Pediatr. 2024 Jan 01; 178(1):81-84. View Abstract
  7. Assessment and Documentation of Language Disorders in Young Children: Challenges and Opportunities. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2024 01 01; 45(1):e4-e7. View Abstract
  8. Cross-Sectional Analysis of Caregiver-Reported Expressive Language Profiles and Associated Covariates in Individuals with Down Syndrome. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2024 01 01; 45(1):e63-e71. View Abstract
  9. Persistence of Autism Spectrum Disorder From Early Childhood Through School Age. JAMA Pediatr. 2023 11 01; 177(11):1197-1205. View Abstract
  10. Assessing Parental Perceptions of Meaningful Outcomes for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2023 12 01; 44(9):e611-e616. View Abstract
  11. Receipt of Behavioral Therapy in Preschool-Age Children with ADHD and Coexisting Conditions: A DBPNet Study. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2023 12 01; 44(9):e651-e656. View Abstract
  12. Do Externalizing and Internalizing Symptoms Moderate Medication Response in Preschool Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder? A DBPNet Study. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2023 09 01; 44(7):e447-e454. View Abstract
  13. Gastrointestinal and Sleep Issues in Toddlers With Autism Versus Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2023 11; 62(11):1335-1341. View Abstract
  14. Adverse Effects of a-2 Adrenergic Agonists and Stimulants in Preschool-age Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Research Network Study. J Pediatr. 2023 06; 257:113325. View Abstract
  15. Male and Female Toddlers with DSM-5 Autism Spectrum Disorder have Similar Developmental Profiles and Core Autism Symptoms. J Autism Dev Disord. 2024 Mar; 54(3):955-962. View Abstract
  16. Association of Coexisting Conditions, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Medication Choice, and Likelihood of Improvement in Preschool-Age Children: A Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Research Network Study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2022 08; 32(6):328-336. View Abstract
  17. Description of Clinician-Diagnosed Regression at Time of Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis in Toddlers. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2022 09 01; 43(7):377-385. View Abstract
  18. Parent-Reported Problems Accessing Mental Health Services Among a National Sample of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Anxiety. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2022 08 01; 43(6):320-326. View Abstract
  19. Correction to: Identifying Subgroups of Toddlers with DSM-5 Autism Spectrum Disorder Based on Core Symptoms. J Autism Dev Disord. 2021 Dec; 51(12):4486-4487. View Abstract
  20. Preschool Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Telephone Medication Management at Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Network Sites. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2021 08 01; 42(6):481-484. View Abstract
  21. a2-Adrenergic Agonists or Stimulants for Preschool-Age Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. JAMA. 2021 05 25; 325(20):2067-2075. View Abstract
  22. Development of a Training Curriculum for Hospital Security About Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2021 04 01; 42(3):191-197. View Abstract
  23. Identifying Subgroups of Toddlers with DSM-5 Autism Spectrum Disorder Based on Core Symptoms. J Autism Dev Disord. 2021 Dec; 51(12):4471-4485. View Abstract
  24. Children With ADHD Are at Risk for a Broad Array of Adverse Adult Outcomes That Cross Functional Domains: Results From a Population-Based Birth Cohort Study. J Atten Disord. 2022 01; 26(1):3-14. View Abstract
  25. Pathogenic Yield of Genetic Testing in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Pediatrics. 2020 10; 146(4). View Abstract
  26. Children and Youth with Complex Cerebral Palsy: Care and Management. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2020 Aug 01; 41(6):485. View Abstract
  27. Parental Perceptions About Alcohol Use for Their Adolescent with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2020 Jun/Jul; 41(5):366-372. View Abstract
  28. Questioning a Previous Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis: Can You "Lose" the Diagnosis? J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2020 05; 41(4):332-333. View Abstract
  29. Screening and Counseling for Alcohol Use in Adolescents With Chronic Medical Conditions in the Ambulatory Setting. J Adolesc Health. 2019 06; 64(6):804-806. View Abstract
  30. Features of Catatonia in a 12-Year-Old Boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2019 04; 40(3):237-238. View Abstract
  31. Features of Catatonia in a 12-Year-Old Boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2019 Mar 26. View Abstract
  32. Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Interactive Medications Among Medically Vulnerable Youth. Pediatrics. 2018 10; 142(4). View Abstract
  33. Common Use of Stimulants and Alpha-2 Agonists to Treat Preschool Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A DBPNet Study. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2018 09; 39(7):531-537. View Abstract
  34. Substance Use Among Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Reasons for Use, Knowledge of Risks, and Provider Messaging/Education. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2017 Jul/Aug; 38(6):417-423. View Abstract
  35. Concurrent Validity of Caffeine Problems and Diagnostic Criteria for Substance Use Disorders. J Caffeine Res. 2016 Dec 01; 6(4):141-147. View Abstract
  36. Management of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder by Developmental-Behavioral Pediatricians: A DBPNet Study. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2016 09; 37(7):541-7. View Abstract
  37. A Screening Tool for Assessing Alcohol Use Risk among Medically Vulnerable Youth. PLoS One. 2016; 11(5):e0156240. View Abstract
  38. Timing of the Diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Pediatrics. 2015 Oct; 136(4):e830-7. View Abstract
  39. Comparing Diagnostic Outcomes of Autism Spectrum Disorder Using DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 Criteria. J Autism Dev Disord. 2015 May; 45(5):1437-50. View Abstract
  40. ADHD, stimulant treatment, and growth: a longitudinal study. Pediatrics. 2014 Oct; 134(4):e935-44. View Abstract
  41. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and substance abuse. Pediatrics. 2014 Jul; 134(1):e293-301. View Abstract
  42. Autism after DSM 5: the potential impact in one child's case. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2014 Apr; 35(3):228-9. View Abstract
  43. Disparity of care for children with parent-reported autism spectrum disorders. Acad Pediatr. 2013 Jul-Aug; 13(4):334-9. View Abstract
  44. Use of machine learning to shorten observation-based screening and diagnosis of autism. Transl Psychiatry. 2012 Apr 10; 2:e100. View Abstract
  45. Directional limits on persistent gravitational waves using LIGO S5 science data. Phys Rev Lett. 2011 Dec 30; 107(27):271102. View Abstract
  46. An upper limit on the stochastic gravitational-wave background of cosmological origin. Nature. 2009 Aug 20; 460(7258):990-4. View Abstract
  47. All-sky LIGO search for periodic gravitational waves in the early fifth-science-run data. Phys Rev Lett. 2009 Mar 20; 102(11):111102. View Abstract
  48. Search for gravitational-wave bursts from soft gamma repeaters. Phys Rev Lett. 2008 Nov 21; 101(21):211102. View Abstract

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