Gael Orsmond, PhD

Scholarly, Research, and/or Practice Interests

Dr. Orsmond is a developmental and clinical psychologist who conducts research to understand how the family, social, community, and school contexts are crucial to the development and well-being of adolescents and adults on the autism spectrum. Her main areas of research are:

• Social and community participation of individuals on the autism spectrum
• Promoting positive transition to adulthood for individuals on the autism spectrum
• Sibling and family relationships in the context of developmental disabilities

Orsmond’s research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, including the NIA, NICHD, and NIMH. She has current funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences. Orsmond is a Fellow of Division 33 (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities/Autism Spectrum Disorder) of the American Psychological Association and is a past president of the Division.

Courses Taught

Sargent Core Curriculum

Entry-level OTD courses

PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences courses

Post-professional online education courses

Publications

Selected Publications

• Chen, J., Cohn, E.S., & Orsmond, G.I. (2018). Parents’ future visions for their autistic transition-age youth: Hopes and expectations. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. E-pub ahead of print. doi: 10.1177/1362361318812141.
• Orsmond, I., & Fulford, D.R. (2018). Adult siblings who have a brother or sister with autism: Between-family and within-family variations in sibling relationships. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48, 4090–4102. doi: 10.1007/s10803-018-3669-8.
• Lussenhop, a., Mesiti, LA., Cohn, E.S., Orsmond, I., Goss, J., Reich, C., Osipow, A., Pirri, K., & Lindgren-Streicher, A. (2016). Social participation of families with children with autism spectrum disorder in a science museum. Museums & Social Issues, 11, 122-137. doi: 10.1080/15596893.2016.1214806
• Orsmond, G.I., & Cohn, E.S. (2015). The distinctive features of a feasibility study: Objectives and guiding questions. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research: Occupation, Participation, & Health, 35, 169–177. doi: 10.1177/1539449215578649.
• Kuo, M.H., Orsmond, G.I., Coster, W.J., & Cohn, E.S. (2014). Media use among adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 18, 914-923. Doi: 10.1177/1362361313497832.
• Orsmond, G.I., Shattuck, P.T., Cooper, B.P, Sterzing, P.R., & Anderson, K.A. (2013). Social participation among young adults with an autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43, 2710–2719. doi: 10.1007/s10803-013-1833-8
• Kuo, H.Y., Orsmond, G.I., Cohn, E.S., & Coster, W.J. (2013). Friendship characteristics and activity patterns of adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 17, 481-500. doi: 10.1177/1362361311416380.
• Kramer, J.M., Coster, W.J., Kao, Y-C, Snow, A., Orsmond, G., & Moed, R. (2012). A new approach to the measurement of adaptive behavior: Development of the PEDI-CAT for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 32, 34-47. doi: 10.3109/01942638.2011.606260
• Shattuck, P.T, Orsmond, G.I., Wagner, M., & Cooper, B.P. (2011). Participation in social activities among adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder. PLoS ONE, 6(11), e27176. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0027176
• Orsmond, G.I., & Kuo, H.Y. (2011).  The daily lives of adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder: Discretionary time use and activity partners.  Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 15, 579-599. doi:10.1177/1362361310386503.
• Barker, E. T., Hartley, S. L., Seltzer, M. M., Floyd, F. J., Greenberg, J. S., & Orsmond, G. I. (2011). Trajectories of emotional well-being in mothers of adolescents and adults with autism. Developmental Psychology, 47, 551-561. doi: 10.1037/a0021268
• Lin, L.Y., Orsmond, G.I., Coster, W.J., & Cohn, E.C. (2010).  Families of adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders in Taiwan: The role of social support and coping in family adaptation and maternal well-being.  Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 144-156. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2010.03.004
• Hartley, S.L., Barker, E.T., Seltzer, M.M., Floyd, F.J., Orsmond, G.I., Greenberg, J.S., & Bolt, D. (2010).  The relative risk and timing of divorce in families of children with an autism spectrum disorder.  Journal of Family Psychology, 24, 449-457.  doi: 10.1037/a0019847

Book Chapters

• Orsmond, G.I., & Long, K. (in press). Family impact and adjustment: Siblings. In L.M. Glidden (Ed.). American Psychological Association handbook of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Washington, D.C.: APA.
• Seltzer, M.M., Greenberg, J.S., Taylor, J.L., Smith, L., Orsmond, G.I., Esbensen, A., & Hong, J. (2011).  Adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders.  In D.G Amaral, G. Dawson, & D.H. Geschwind (Eds.), Autism spectrum disorders (pp. 241-252). New York: Oxford University Press.
• Seltzer, M. M., Greenberg, J. S., Orsmond, G.I., Lounds, J., & Smith, M. J. (2008).   Unanticipated lives: Inter- and intra-generational relationships in families with children with disabilities.  In A. Booth, A.C. Crouter, S. Bianchi, & J.A. Seltzer (Eds.) Caring and exchange within and across generations (pp. 233-242). Washington, DC: Urban Institute Press.

Sensory Guidebook

• Ideishi, R.I., Cohn, E.S., Orsmond, G.I., Wintrol, J., Whalen, M.L., Nickolaus, S., Swanson, J., & Siegel, B. (2013). Sensory Friendly Programming for People with Social and Cognitive Challenges: A Guide for Performing Arts Settings. New York, NY: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Selected Presentations

• Jensen, A.C., Lieber, M.L., & Orsmond, G.I. (2019, May). Young adults’ sibling relationships: The role of parental differential treatment and the broader autism phenotype. Paper presented at the International Society for Autism Research Annual Meeting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
• Lieber, M., Jensen, A.C., & Orsmond, G. (2019, May). Sibling contact and young adults’ well-being: The moderating role of the broader autism phenotype. Poster presented at the International Society for Autism Research Annual Meeting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
• Chen, J., Orsmond, G.I., & Cohn, E.S. (2019, May). Integrating family concerns in school transition preparation for diploma-track youth with autism spectrum disorder. Poster presented at the International Society for Autism Research Annual Meeting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
• Orsmond, G.I. (2018, August). Autism through adolescence and adulthood: Social, school, and community contexts. Division 33 (IDD/ASD) Presidential Address. American Psychological Association Annual Convention. San Francisco, CA.
• Orsmond, G.I., Cohn, E.S., & Coster, W.J. (2018, May). Understanding the contribution of anxiety to school functioning in transition-age youth with high functioning autism spectrum disorder. Paper presented at the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress, Cape Town, South Africa.
• Orsmond, G.I., Cohn, E.S., Coster, W.J., Munsell, E., & Wong, J. (2018, May). The need for occupational therapists to develop programs and supports for high school students with autism spectrum disorder. Poster presented at the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress, Cape Town, South Africa.
• Jensen, A.C., & Orsmond, G.I. (2018, May). Broader autism phenotype characteristics and young adults’ sibling support. Poster presented at the International Society for Autism Research Annual Meeting, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
• Wong, J.S., & Orsmond, G.I. (2017, June). Positive and negative employment experiences of adults with autism spectrum disorder: Employers’ perspectives. Poster presented at the Occupational Therapy Research Summit of Scholars, Boston, MA
• Orsmond, G.I. (2016, June). Autism across the lifespan: Recent research and implications for China. Keynote address at The 2^nd China Rehabilitation Forum, Chengdu, China.
• Orsmond, G.I., (2016, June). Autism across the lifespan: Recent research and implications for China. Symposium presentation at Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Beijing, China.
• Orsmond, G.I., Wong, J., Coster, W.J., Cohn, E.S., Erspamer, B.* & Haver, C.E.* (2016, March). The focus of educational goals for transition-age youth receiving special education services. Poster presented at the Gatlinburg Conference on Research and Theory in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, San Diego, CA.
• Orsmond, G.I., & Cohn, E.S. (2015, August). Distinctive features of a feasibility study: A social intervention for youth with autism using video. Poster presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Toronto, Canada.
• Rajabiun, S., Orsmond, G.I., Grossman, X., Blenner, S., Fernandez-Pastrana, I., & Augustyn, M. (2015, May). Understanding and sharing an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis: Perspectives of diverse families participating in a family navigation program. Poster presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research, Salt Lake City, UT
• Cohn, E.S., Orsmond, G.I., Boris, A., Pirri, K., Reich, C., Lussenhop, C., Mesiti, L.A., Lindgren-Streicher, A. & Goss, J. (2015, April). Community participation experiences of families with a child with ASD: Factors associated with parents’ descriptions of a successful museum visit. Paper presented at the Occupational Therapy Summit of Scholars, Los Angeles, CA.

Grant Activity

Current Funded Research

• U.S. Department of Education (Institute of Education Sciences) R324A160113. Transition Outcomes of High Functioning Students with Autism: How and When Students Learn the Skills Necessary for Self-Management of Daily Responsibilities. PI: Gael Orsmond (Co-PI: Wendy Coster). 2016-2020. Total amount: $1,578,509
• NIH/NIMH R34 MH111489 & R34 MH111489-01S1 (Diversity supplement). Engaging Siblings of Adults with Autism in Future Planning. MPI: Gael Orsmond (MPI: Kristin Long; Diversity trainee: Monica Gordillo). 2017-2020. Total Amount: $877,315
  

Completed Research

• Dudley Allen Sargent Research Fund (internal), College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston University. Transition Outcomes of Youth with Social, Emotional, and Cognitive Disabilities. PI: Gael Orsmond. 2014-2016. Total Amount: $6070.
• Deborah Munroe Noonan Memorial Research Fund. The VIP Intervention: Using Video Self-Reflection to Enhance Social Well-Being for Adolescents with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. PI: Gael Orsmond. 2012-2014. Total Amount: $80,000
• NIH/NICHD R21 HD06528. Computer Adaptive Testing of Adaptive Behavior of Children and Youth with Autism. Co-I: Gael Orsmond (PI: Wendy Coster). 2009-2013. Total Amount: $284,374
• NIH/NIA R01 AG008768. Impacts of Parenting Adolescents and Adults with Autism. Co-I: Gael Orsmond. Sub-project PI (2005-2012): Gael Orsmond (PI: Marsha Mailick). 2000-2012. Total Subcontract to Boston University: $699,247
• Dudley Allen Sargent Research Fund (internal), College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston University. Understanding Friendships of Adolescents with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: In Their Own Voices. PI: Gael Orsmond (Co-PI: Ellen Cohn). 2009-2011. Total Amount: $6995
• NIH/NICHD R03 HD039185. Adolescent Siblings of Brothers or Sisters with Autism. PI: Gael Orsmond. 2003-2006. Total Amount: $100,000

Professional Activities

Special Positions, Honors, & Awards

• Editorial Board, Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2019-current.
• Editorial Review Board, American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. 2018-current.
• Chair, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) Clinical Study Oversight Committee (for R01). 2017-current.
• Chair, Deborah Munroe Noonan Memorial Research Fund Review Committee, Boston, MA. 2017-2019.
• President, Division 33 (IDD/ASD), American Psychological Association. 2017-2018.
• Convention Program Chair, Division 33 (IDD/ASD), American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Washington, DC. 2016-2017.
• Selected Participant, American Psychological Association Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology. 2015-2016.
• Fellow, Division 33 (IDD/ASD), American Psychological Association. 2015.
• Invited Reviewer, NICHD Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Centers (U54 IDDRCs). 2015.
• Panel Member, NICHD CHHD Initial Review Group: Health, Behavior, and Context Subcommittee. 2011-2015.
• Associate Editor, American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. 2011-2014.
• Invited Reviewer, Intervention Research Grants, American Occupational Therapy Foundation. 2013.
• Invited Reviewer, Autism Speaks Treatment Grant Application Review Committee. 2013.
• Invited Reviewer, NICHD Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group: Academic Community Partnership Conference Series. 2010-2011.
• Invited Reviewer, NICHD Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group: The Role of Human-Animal Interaction in Child Health and Development. 2010.