Position:
UCEDD Associate Director, LEND Co-Director, Unit Director

Bio:
Brian Freedman is the co-Director of the Delaware LEND, the Associate Director of the UCEDD and Director of the Transition Education & Employment Model (TEEM) unit at CDS, which offers supports and services that help people with disabilities increase their independence, lead productive lives and participate in the community as adults. Brian is the director of the University of Delaware's Career & Life Studies Certificate program, a postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities. He leads several collaborative projects with Delaware's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services. Brian created and leads the Family Engagement Special Interest Group, a forum for administrators and staff of postsecondary education programs to discuss how to best engage families of students with intellectual disabilities in a manner that is respectful of the student and family. Brian also oversees early childhood Autism Spectrum Disorder systems change initiatives. Brian teaches as part of UD's Disabilities Studies minor. His research interests are in postsecondary transition, family dynamics and experiences, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Brian received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He has worked as a psychologist, conducting diagnostic evaluations and behavioral, cognitive-behavior and family systems interventions with individuals with developmental disabilities. Brian has also served as clinical director at the Kennedy Krieger Institute Center for Autism and Related Disorders, where he oversaw a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic that worked with more than 1,500 families per year.

Publications since 2009:

Zablotsky, B., Kalb, L.G., Freedman, B., Vasa, R., & Stuart, E.A. (2014). Health care experiences and perceived financial impact among families of children with an autism spectrum disorder. Psychiatric Services, 65, 395-398. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201200552

Eisenman, L.T., Farley-Ripple, E., Culnane, M., & Freedman, B. (2013). Rethinking Social Network Assessment for Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Postsecondary Education. Journal of Postsecondary Education and disability, 26(4), 367-384.

Vasa, R.A., Kalb, L., Mazurek, M., Kanne, S., Freedman, B., Keefer, A., Clemons, & Murray, D. (2013). Age-related differences in the prevalence and correlates of anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7(11), 1358-1369.

Kanne, S. M., Mazurek, M. O., Sikora, D., Bellando, J., Branum-Martin, L., Handen, B., Katz, T., Freedman, B., Powell, M.P., & Warren, Z. (2013). The Autism Impact Measure (AIM): Initial development of a new tool for treatment outcome measurement. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1862-3.

Mazurek, M., Vasa, R., Kalb, L., Kanne, S., Rosenberg, D., Murray, D., Keefer, A., Freedman, B., & Lowery, L. (2013). Anxiety, Sensory Over-Responsivity, and Gastrointestinal Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 41, 165-176.

Freedman, B., Kalb, L., Zablotsky, B., & Stuart, E. (2012). Relationship status among parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42, 539-548.

Kalb, L.G., Freedman, B., Foster, C., Menon, D, Landa, R, Kishfy, L, Law, P. (2012). Determinants of appointment absenteeism at an outpatient pediatric autism clinic. Journal of Development & Behavioral Pediatrics, 33, 685-697. DOI: 10.1097/DBP.0b013e31826c66ef.

Kalb, L.G., Stuart, E., Freedman, B., Vasa, R., & Zablotsky, B. (2012). Psychiatric-related emergency department visits among children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatric Emergency Care, 28, 1269-1276.

Pollard, C., Barry, C., Freedman, B., Kotchick, E. (2012). Relationship quality as a moderator of anxiety in siblings of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders or Down Syndrome. Journal of Child and Family Studies. DOI: 10.1007/s10826-012-9618-9.

Freedman, B. (2012). Parental stress and family relationships during the transition to adulthood. Autism Spectrum News, 4, 23.

Naseef, R. & Freedman, B. (2012). A diagnosis of autism is not a prognosis of divorce: Myths and realities of maintaining a marriage as parents of a child with autism. Autism Advocate, Fall, 9-12.

Freedman, B. & Whitney, R. (2011). Strengthening family quality of life: A plan for your family's success. S.I. Focus Magazine, Summer, 8-13.

Affiliations:
- Assistant professor, School of Education (University of Delaware)