Autism Center

Meet Your Team

Leadership

Erin Easley, LICSW

Director, Ambulatory Services, Seattle Children’s Autism Center and Child Psychiatry
Ray Chih-Jui Hsiao, MD

Senior Medical Director, Mental and Behavioral Health Services; Interim Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine
Laura Knapp, MSW, LICSW

Vice President, Mental and Behavioral Health Services
Mendy Minjarez, PhD

Director, Applied Behavior Analysis Early Intervention Program; Associate Professor
Erin Marie Olson, PhD

Training Director, Seattle Children’s Autism Center
Thomas Kimball Brasted, PsyD

Interim Clinical Director, Seattle Children’s Autism Center

Teams

Jump to Role:

Neurology

Neurologists are doctors who specialize in conditions that affect the nerves, spinal cord and brain (nervous system).

Neurodevelopmental pediatrics

Neurodevelopmental pediatricians are doctors who assess and care for children with conditions related to the development of the nervous system, including the brain. Neurodevelopmental nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced training in treating children with these conditions. Nurse practitioners are also called advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs). They work independently and with doctors.

Psychiatry

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who diagnose and treat mental health issues that affect a child’s thoughts, emotions or behavior. The doctor may provide medicine evaluations, prescribe medicine and can help a child talk through problems (psychotherapy). Psychiatric nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced training and education in psychiatry. They work independently and with doctors to diagnose, treat and teach patients and families about mental health issues that affect a child’s thoughts, emotions or behavior. Nurse practitioners are also called advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs).

Psychology

Psychologists are health professionals who diagnose and treat mental health issues that affect a child’s thoughts, emotions or behavior. Psychologists treat children with evidence-based talking and behavioral therapy. A psychologist has a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in the study of the mind and behavior (psychology) rather than in the study of medicine. For this reason, they do not prescribe medicine.

Behavior analysis

Behavior analysts are health professionals with extra training in how people act. They may assess your child’s behavior, study how changes affect that behavior and make a treatment plan to improve it. Our behavior analysts are board certified, meaning they completed additional training in their specialty and passed a rigorous test.

Amber Persons-Geer, MSW, LAICSW, BCaBA, program coordinator

Family resource team

Our Family Resource team gives families education, referrals and support at every stage. We teach skills to turn activities (like grocery shopping) that are overwhelming into routine family life. We also help families navigate major life milestones, such as starting school and transitioning to adulthood.