About

Discipline:  Clinical Psychology

Laura Grofer Klinger, Ph.D is the Executive Director of the University of North Carolina TEACCH Autism Program and an Associate Professor in the UNC Department of Psychiatry. She has 30+ years of experience conducting clinical services, teaching, and research. She is a clinical psychologist committed to community-based care and methods to support the implementation of evidence-based practices in community settings.

Her current research is focused on identifying and supporting service needs for individuals from young adulthood through aging. She is the Principal Investigator of four federally funded randomized controlled trials including projects examining treatments for mental health conditions in autistic children and adults and a project examining the efficacy of a transition to employment program (TEACCH School Transition to Employment, and Post-Secondary Education (T-STEP) Program) that is offered in community colleges across North Carolina.

She is also conducting a longitudinal study examining outcomes related to employment, quality of life, and aging in 25-60-year-old adults with ASD who were served by TEACCH during childhood.