Conner James Black, PhD

Dr. Black’s work integrates high-quality diagnostic assessment, cognitive behavioral therapy and family-based therapies, as well as systems-level consultation. He has advanced training in diagnostic tools, including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). Dr. Black provides a range of evidence-based interventions specifically designed or adapted for autistic youth, including the Research Units in Behavioral Intervention (RUBI) parent training, ESDM-informed early intervention, Coping Cat, and Facing Your Fears. His wide variety of therapeutic modalities has enabled him to take a more comprehensive approach in responding to a child’s and family’s specific needs. As associate director of the Autism Center, Dr. Black supervises a multidisciplinary clincial team and supports the integration of research into clinical practice to address the most pressing needs of patients and families. A passionate advocate of inclusive care for individuals on the autism spectrum, Dr. Black works closely with school partners, residential services, and other organizations on how to best address the needs of those with neurodevelopmental conditions.

Manage the training of externs, interns, and post-doctoral fellows in the autism center.

At Brown University Health’s Bradley Hospital, I serve as a Clinical Psychologist on the inpatient and outpatient teams within the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD), and as a Clinical Instructor at the Warren Alpert Medical School. My work includes leading psychological services for children and adolescents with complex developmental and mental health needs, conducting comprehensive diagnostic assessments, and providing individual, family, and behavioral therapy. I contribute to program development, supervise clinical trainees, and lead training initiatives aimed at improving the care experience for autistic patients.

At Weill Cornell Medicine’s Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, I completed a postdoctoral fellowship focused on diagnostic assessment, consultation, and early intervention for individuals with autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions. I conducted comprehensive diagnostic evaluations across the lifespan, supervised staff in assessment and report writing, and provided modified cognitive-behavioral therapy for autistic individuals in inpatient psychiatric settings. I also served as a clinical liaison to medical and psychiatric units, offered parent counseling, and led early intervention services using the Early Start Denver Model.

• Manage and execute a 5 year NSF grant looking at the relationship between individual spatial skills and exact and approximate numeracy in elementary aged children. • Independently generate hypotheses, analyze data, and disseminate research findings at national conferences. • Supervise and train a team of 15 undergraduates, mentoring advanced students regarding future plans and research ideas. • Create and modify stimuli for 13 measures of spatial and numerical skills for a longitudinal study, including programming in E-prime. • Recruit and maintain positive relationships with over 800 families and 20 schools throughout Philadelphia including private, charter, and parochial schools.

Assisting with a ten-week, group-based intervention designed to improve social functioning in children experiencing social difficulties (e.g., children with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, anxiety). Primary duties include direct instruction and modeling of appropriate communication and social problem-solving skills, and facilitation of dyad-based skill practice. Supervision: Kevin Antshel, Ph. D. (Licensed Psychologist)

• Research assistant on a study investigating the relationship between physiology and behavioral symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). • Analyzing behavioral multisensory selective attention data. • Collecting behavioral and electrophysiological data (EEG) pertaining to multisensory integration in both typical and ASD populations. • Scoring and entering data using various psychological measures. Supervision:Natalie Russo, Ph.D. (Licensed Psychologist)

Responsible for managing and helping facilitate successful events. Independently close and start certain shifts.

Research assistant on a study investigating the relationship between spatial skills, mathematics, and the STEM disciplines. Responsibilities include recruiting participants and running children between the ages of 1 and 5 through psychological measures and different aspects of the study. Furthermore I am responsible for managing database input. Supervision: Roberta Golinkoff, Ph.D.; Brian Verdine, Ph.D

At Syracuse University, I earned a B.S. in Psychology and Neuroscience (Cum Laude) and conducted extensive research through the Center for Autism Research in Electrophysiology, focusing on multisensory integration in autism using behavioral, EEG, and eye-tracking methods. I also completed a research internship at the University of Delaware, exploring spatial cognition and STEM learning in early childhood. My academic work was recognized with multiple awards, including the Psychology Outstanding Research Achievement Award and several competitive travel and research grants.