Patricia Towle, Ph.D. serves as Director of Training in Psychology at Westchester Institute for Human Development in Valhalla, NY. She performs administrative and supervisory functions for predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric psychology and developmental disabilities.  She also participates in grant-related activities, including curriculum development, teaching and supervision associated with LEND in addition to providing consultation and technical assistance to community providers and agencies.  

Prior to joining the WIHD faculty, Dr. Towle completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of North Carolina University Affiliated Program in pediatric psychology and developmental disabilities, supported by an NIMH postdoctoral research training fellowship. In 1985 she became a Research and Training Psychologist at WIHD, with academic appointments at the New York Medical College, first in Psychiatry and later in Pediatrics, and more currently in the School of Health Sciences and Practice.  She directs Psychology training at WIHD. Dr.Towle's focus has been in the area of early intervention, early childhood assessment, and early detection of autism spectrum disorders.  In these areas, Dr.Towle's training activities include: providing ongoing supervision and seminars for graduate trainees, conducting community-based and state-wide training, teaching graduate courses, and supervising theses.  In addition, she was co-principal investigator for an OSERS grant for interdisciplinary training and has produced a workbook and videotape on early assessment funded by a state grant. Dr. Towle's research activities involve conducting research on detection and follow-up of ASD, facilitating research by WIHD faculty, supporting LEND fellows in their applied research projects, and supervising dissertation research by doctoral candidates at affiliated universities. She recently has directed a year-long training grant using blended learning (combining workshops and elearning) on early recognition of ASD, participated as a presenter in a NYS grant to train pediatricians in ASD screening and assessment. Another current focus is creating video and web-based training products for early detection.

Research

• Edwards, K. S., Towle, P., & Levitz, B. (2013). Incorporating Life Course Theory and Social Determinants of Health into the LEND curriculum. Maternal and Child Health Journal, Epub before print: doi 10.1007/s10995-013-1283-0.
• Towle, P. (2013 , March). Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children: A Visual Guide. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London.Towle, P. (2009) The three domains of autism spectrum disorders. Autism Spectrum   News, 2, 14-16.
• Towle, P., Visintainer, P., O'Sullivan, C., Bryant, N.E., & Busby, S. (2009). Detecting autism spectrum disorder from early intervention charts: methodology and preliminary findings.  Journal of Autism and Developmenta Disorders, epub ahead of print, http://www.springerlink.com/ content/ 0162-3257.
• Towle, P., Farrell, A.F., & Vitalone-Raccarro, N. (2008). Strategies for writing family- centered, user-friendly, strength-based early intervention evaluation reports. Zero-to-Three  Newsletter.
• Towle, P.O (2008). Early Identification of Autism in Young Children: A Visual Guide, Vol 1: An Overview. DVD, distributed by Child Development Media.  

Recent Selected Presentations

• Towle, P. (2013, October). Overview of DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Presentation at The Regional Center for Autism Conference, Valhalla, New York.
• Edwards, K., Towle, P, Levitz, B, Harris, A, & McHugh, M. (2013, November).  Incorporating Life Course Theory and Social Determinants of Health in LEND Programs. Poster presented at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities Annual Meeting and Conference, Washington, DC.
• Towle, P., & Taratunio, M. (2013, June). Pathways to Identification, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children. .Poster presented at Combatting Autism Act Initiative meeting, Washington, D.C.
• Towle, P. (2013, June). Update on the DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Invited presentation   at the Centro de Autismo, San Juan, Puerto Rico .
• Towle, P.O. (2012, January). Screening and Early Identification of Autism in Young Children. Invited presentation at the Winter Weekend continuing education conference for New York family physicians, Lake Placid, NY. 
• Towle, P.O. (2012, January). Writing Strength-based, Consumer-Friendly Early Intervention Reports. Inservice for early intervention providers at the Westchester Center for Educational and Emotional Development, Hawthorne, NY. 
• Towle, P.O., & Lasher, M. (2011, October). Innovative Training for Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders:  Focus on Assessment: A Training Conference. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for University Centers on Disability, Washington, D.C. 
• Kilgallen, J, & Towle, P.O. (2011, October). In Their Own Words: Investigating the Types and Functions of Repetitive Behaviors Using Autobiographical Accounts from Individuals with Autism. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for University Centers on Disability, Washington, D.C. 
• Towle, P.O (2011, October).  Autism Spectrum Disorder? Learning About Children Who May Be "On the Spectrum." Presentation at the annual conference of the Westchester Association for the Education of the Young Child, Dobbs Ferry ,NY. 
• Towle, P.O. (2011, June). Evidence-based Treatments for ASD in Young Children. Invited Presentation at the physician's workshop for  Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Albany,NY. 
• Towle, P.O (2011,September).  ASD: Supporting Skills in the Classroom .Professional training workshop for the Children's School for Early Development, Hawthorne, NY. 
• Towle, P.O (2011,May).  School-age Follow-up of Young Children with ASD: Prediction From Early Childhood to School Age. Paper presented at the biennial meeting of the International Society for Early Intervention, NY, NY. 
• Towle, P.O., & Vacanti-Shova, K. (2010, April). Follow-up of Children with ASD: Outcomes at School and and Prediction from Early Childhood. Poster Presented at the American Psychological Society, Boston, MA.