Dr. Brazendale is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in child assessment and therapy. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University with a focus on working with children with ADHD, learning differences, and Autism spectrum disorder. She is research reliable on the ADOS-2, a specialized test for Autism, which is considered the gold standard for testing for Autistic Spectrum Disorder. She specializes in differential diagnosis, specifically with ADHD, high functioning autism, and learning disorders. She does all her own testing, conducts school observations as part of her diagnostic process, and gets reports back to parents within 3 weeks. She is also certified in the world renowned Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). PCIT is especially helpful for young children with behavioral disturbances.

 

Her first year practicum was in an ADHD assessment and treatment clinic where she became proficient in behavioral parent training, ADHD assessment, and several child therapeutic modalities (executive functioning training, CBT, behavioral therapy). Her subsequent practicum experiences were in a pediatric hospital, an outpatient autism treatment and assessment clinic, as well as in an ABA severe behavior disorders clinic. She completed her postdoctoral work at the University of South Carolina, doing research in physical activity and social skills for children with developmental disabilities, as well as private practice providing assessment and therapy for children.

 

Dr. Brazendale sub-specializes in recognizing and diagnosing cases of high functioning autism, and differentiating that from other diagnoses. She takes her time with in depth assessments, performed by her in the consulting room, and also includes school observations in her assessments. She prides herself in being comprehensive and performs all of her own testing and assessments, preferring to get a full picture of your child and their abilities during the evaluation. She uses these evaluations and experiences with your child to help shape a comprehensive diagnostic picture. She remains committed to her growth and learning as a clinician and stays up-to-date on these diagnostic profiles and subtleties, to be as accurate and evidence-based as possible. She is neuroaffirming in her approach and appreciates both the strengths and struggles associated with various childhood diagnoses.

 

She continues to research physical activity in youth with developmental disabilities. She also served as the Director of Psychology at ABA clinics since 2016, where she focused on assessment, child therapy, and social skills/executive functioning groups. She is very passionate about what she does, and looking forward to working with your family! 

 

Dr. Brazendale’s evaluation expertise covers the areas of:​

• ADHD

• Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • Including High functioning ASD

• Learning disabilities 

• Gifted testing

• Anxiety

• Pediatric OCD, anxiety and impulse-control disorders