Charlotte DiStefano, PhD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology and Pediatrics, USC and CHLA

Dr. Charlotte DiStefano is a clinical psychologist who specializes in neurodevelopmental disorders and related neurogenetic syndromes. She is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

After receiving a B.S. in Special Education from New York University and an Ed.M. in Mind Brain and Education from Harvard University, Dr. Charlotte DiStefano received her Ph.D. in Psychological Studies in Education from University of California Los Angeles. She completed her postdoctoral training in developmental neuroscience at the UCLA Center for Autism Research. Before earning her Ph.D., Dr. DiStefano worked as a special education teacher in both New York City and Los Angeles.

Clinically, Dr. DiStefano is the Lead Psychologist for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Services in the Developmental and Behavioral Health Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she oversees evaluation and treatment of children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Dr. DiStefano’s primary research interests are language and cognitive development in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly those who are minimally verbal. Her work has been funded by the Dup15q Syndrome Alliance, Angelman Syndrome Foundation, Autism Science Foundation, Autism Speaks and National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders.