My research focuses on the emotional and mental health of children and youth with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences. My work includes the investigations of child-, parent-, and system-level characteristics, and the relationship between these factors, that either support healthy emotional development or exacerbates difficulties in the child and for the family. I am also interested in the impact of these factors on overall parent and family well being. Additionally, I have a strong interest in implementation science and program evaluations, and work alongside community-based autism providers (e.g., CHEO) and advocacy groups (e.g., Autism Ontario, Autism Alliance of Canada) who promote psychosocial interventions on the mental health and well being of autistic children and their caregivers.<\/p>\n
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POTENTIAL UNDERGRADUATE THESIS OR GRADUATE STUDENTS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Due to the number of email inquiries I receive regarding undergraduate thesis and graduate student positions, I do not generally meet with potential candidates prior to an application submission.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Undergraduate Thesis Students:<\/strong>\u00a0I may take 2-3 Undergraduate Thesis Students in Fall 2026. Please apply through the Carleton University Department of Psychology website once the portal opens. https:\/\/carleton.ca\/psychology\/thesis-application\/<\/a> Only candidates who make the shortlist will be contacted for an interview.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Graduate Students: <\/strong>I may take a new PhD graduate student in Fall 2026. I do not take students who start in the Winter term. Please see the Carleton University Graduate Admission website for instructions and deadlines. https:\/\/graduate.carleton.ca\/apply-online\/<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n SELECT PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Parkhill, M., Salmaso, N, D\u2019Angiulli, A., Lee, V.<\/strong>\u00a0& Aguilar Valles, A. (2025). Emerging autism and fragile X syndrome treatments. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, Apr;46(4):357-371, http:\/\/10.1016\/j.tips.2025.02.004<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ibrahim, A., Lee, V<\/strong>., Vashi, N., Roudbarani, F. H., Tablon Modica, P., Pouyandeh, A., Sellitto, T., Ameis, S., Elkader, A., Gray, K., Kerns, C., Lake, J., Thomson, K., & Weiss, J. A. (2025). Parent Outcomes Following Participation in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Autistic Children in a Community Setting. Autism Research, http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/aur.70001<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lee, V<\/strong>., Vashi, N., Roudbarani, F., Modica, P.T., Pouyandeh, A., Sellitto, T., Ibrahim, A., Ameis, S.H., Elkader, A., Gray, K.M. and Kerns, C.M., Lai, M-C., Lake, J., Thomson, K., & Weiss, J.A. (2024) Utility of a virtual small group cognitive behaviour program for autistic children during the pandemic: evidence from a community-based implementation study. BMC Health Services Research, 24(1), p.685. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12913-024-11033-9<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sellitto, T., Fraser-Thomas, J., Bassett-Gunter, R.L., Lee, V.<\/strong>, Lunsky, Y., Balogh, R., & Weiss, J.A. (2024) The Role of Thriving in Mental Health Among People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 37(1), e13177. http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/jar.13177<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Black, K. R., Lai, M. C., Desrocher, M. E., Lee, V.<\/strong>, Sellitto, T., Vashi, N., & Weiss, J. A. (2023). A coping subscale for autistic children: Revisiting the dimensionality of the emotion regulation and social skills questionnaire. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 105, 102-167. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.rasd.2023.102167<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lee, V.<\/strong>, Albaum, C., Tablon Modica, P., Ahmad, F., Gorter, J. W., Khanlou, N., McMorris, Lai J., C., Harrison, C., Hedley, T., Johnston, P., Putterman, C., Spoelstra, M. and Weiss, J. A. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and wellbeing of caregivers and families of autistic people: A Scoping Review. Autism Research. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/aur.2616<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n