Meet Dr. Bryna Siegel: A Leading Expert in Autism Research and Intervention
About Dr. Bryna Siegel
Founder and Executive Director, Autism Center of Northern California (2012 - Present)
Professor, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (1989-2012)
Dr. Bryna Siegel holds a PhD in Child Development/ Developmental Psychology and a MA in Education, both from Stanford University. She retired as Professor of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco in 2012 to found the Autism Center of Northern California to develop a model for life-span services for families living with autism.
She is author of five books on diagnosing and treating autism spectrum disorders. The most recent is The Politics of Autism (Oxford Univ. Press, 2018), plus The World of the Autistic Child (Oxford Univ. Press, 1996), What About Me? Siblings of Developmentally Disabled Children (Plenum/Insight, 1994), Helping Children with Autism Learn (Oxford Univ. Press, 2004), Getting the Best for Your Child with Autism (Guilford, 2008). She is the developer of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders Screening Test II (Psych Corp, 2002) as well as over 100 peer-reviewed chapters, papers and abstracts and has lectured and trained doctors, teachers and therapists nationally and internationally.
When Bryna is not ‘doing’ autism, she loves to cook, travel internationally with her husband, and hang out with her daughter and granddaughters.
Dr. Siegel can be reached for independent consulting on autism to schools (training, program evaluation) and law firms (expert testimony), and a separate CV of related work is available on request ([email protected]).
Key Research Contributions
Dr. Bryna Siegel’s Impact on Autism Research, Diagnosis, and Policy
Dr. Bryna Siegel’s work has been instrumental in advancing autism research, early diagnosis, intervention, and policy shaping.
Advancing Autism Diagnosis & Screening
PDDST-II:
A Global Standard in Early Screening
Dr. Siegel co-developed the Pervasive Developmental Disorders Screening Test (PDDST-II), one of the first tools designed specifically for early autism detection in toddlers. This validated screening test has become a trusted resource for pediatricians and clinicians worldwide, helping to identify autism as early as 12 months old.
Read More on ResearchGate, Pervasive Developmental Disorders Screening Test (PDDST), January 2013
Shaping Modern Diagnostic Criteria
Dr. Siegel was a key contributor to the DSM-III-R and DSM-IV field trials, working alongside top experts in psychiatry and developmental disorders to refine the diagnostic criteria for autism. Her expertise helped ensure that autism assessments became more precise, leading to better identification and support for children on the spectrum.
Read More on PubMed, DSM-III-R field trials for pervasive developmental disorders, July 1990
Debunking Autism Myths & Misinformation
Scientific Truth Over Hype: Dispelling Pseudoscience
Dr. Siegel has been a vocal advocate against misleading autism “cures” and vaccine misinformation. In The Politics of Autism, she exposes how misinformation spreads, leading parents to waste resources on unproven treatments. She has also led efforts to ensure that autism interventions remain grounded in research, not fear-based marketing.
Read More in San Francisco Autism Society, Bryna Siegel: Truth Bombs on Autism, March 2018
Link: https://sfautismsociety.org/bryna-siegel-truth-bombs-autism
Parent Coaching & Early Intervention:
Teaching Parents to be the Best Therapists
Dr. Siegel understands that parents are their child’s most important teachers. That’s why she created JumpStart Learning-to-Learn, a pioneering program that trains parents in evidence-based autism interventions. This model ensures that parents have the skills to support their child’s growth from an early age, maximizing long-term developmental success.
Read More in Forensic Psychiatric Associates, Bryna Siegel CV – Expert in Autism Research and Policy, 2024
Link: https://fpamed.com/wp-content/uploads/Bryna-Siegel-CV-11-21-24-watermarked.pdf
Shaping Autism Policy & Services
Transforming Autism Legislation & Services
Dr. Siegel’s expertise extends beyond research—she has played a direct role in shaping public policy. As a member of California’s SB 946 Autism Advisory Task Force, she helped craft policy recommendations that expanded access to autism treatment, including behavioral therapy for thousands of families in need.
Read More In California Department of Managed Health Care, SB 946 Autism Advisory Task Force Report, 2012
Link: https://www.dmhc.ca.gov/Portals/0/AbouttheDMHC/PublicInformationAndReports/aatfr.pdf
CONTACT US
870 Market Street, Suite 401
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: 415-391-3417
Fax: 866-656-5932
Email: [email protected]
OUR PROGRAMS
Neurodevelopment Assessment