Hawaiʻi faces a severe shortage of mental health specialists qualified to diagnose and support people with autism and other developmental disabilities. That often results in long wait times for evaluations and delays in accessing critical services.
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa this year appointed internationally recognized clinical psychologist and autism researcher Meghan Miller to lead its Center on Disability Studies in an effort to help address the growing need.
Miller is a leading expert in the early identification of autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. She will strengthen the center’s efforts to train more specialists, expand access to services and support and advance research that improves outcomes for people with disabilities and their families.
“Hawaiʻi has incredible strengths in its communities and its commitment to supporting people with disabilities. At the same time, there is also a growing need for more trained professionals and greater access to services,” said Miller in a university release. “The Center on Disability Studies is uniquely positioned to bring together research, education and community partnerships to help build that workforce and ensure individuals with disabilities and their families have the support they need throughout their lives.”
Autism diagnoses have risen dramatically nationwide — from about 1 in 110 children in 2006 to about 1 in 31 today. Miller said expanding Hawaiʻi’s workforce of trained specialists and increasing access to evidence-based services are critical to advancing Center on Disability Studies’ mission to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families throughout the state.
July also marks Disability Pride Month, celebrated worldwide to honor the Americans with Disabilities Act that was signed into law July 26, 1990.
Center on Disability Studies under Miller’s leadership is working to strengthen interdisciplinary research, expand training opportunities for future educators and service providers and pursue additional external funding to increase Hawaiʻi‘s capacity to meet the growing demand for disability services.
Miller brings to her position nearly two decades of experience in neurodevelopmental disabilities research and practice. Her work advanced understanding of the earliest signs of autism, developmental trajectories and early intervention, with findings published in leading scientific journals.
She received national recognition for her research, including honors from the International Society for Autism Research and the Association for Psychological Science.
“Dr. Miller is an exceptional scholar whose research has helped shape our understanding of autism and early childhood development,” said University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Education Dean Nathan Murata in the university release. “Just as important, she shares the College of Education’s commitment to turning research into meaningful outcomes for Hawaiʻi families and communities while strengthening efforts to prepare future educators and service providers.”
