Lauren Moskowitz

Associate ProfessorAssistant Chair
Ph.D., 2012, Stony Brook University, Clinical PsychologyM.A., 2009, Stony Brook University, PsychologyB. S., 2000, Cornell University, Human Development


Dr. Moskowitz is an Associate Professor of Psychology at St. John’s University and a core member of the School Psychology (Psy.D. and M.S.) programs. She earned her B.S. from Cornell University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Stony Brook University. Dr. Moskowitz completed her internship at NYU Child Study Center and Bellevue Hospital and her postdoctoral fellowship at NYU Child Study Center. She is Associate Editor for the journal Behavior Modification and is on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions. Dr. Moskowitz is part of the leadership team for the Home and Community Positive Behavior Support Network (HCPBS) and was Co-Chair of the Autism Spectrum and Developmental Disabilities Special Interest Group (ASDD SIG) for the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)  from 2016-2018. Dr. Moskowitz is a Co-Principal Investigator (along with Dr. Matthew Lerner and Dr. Rebecca Sachs) on a grant awarded by the NYS Office of Mental Health to deliver training and consultation to NYS mental health care providers serving youth with mental health challenges and autism/IDD: Scalable Psychopathology InteRvention Intensive Training for ID & ASD (SPIRIT-ID-ASD).

Research:

Broadly, my research interests include behavioral assessment and intervention for autistic youth and children with other intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) in naturalistic contexts (i.e., home, school, community). My research focuses on parent-mediated behavioral intervention to improve quality of life by ameliorating challenging behavior in youth with autism and IDD as well as integrating family-based Positive Behavior Support (PBS) with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to treat anxiety in children with autism and IDD. Google Scholar Profile

Moskowitz, LJ., Will, E.A., Black, C.J., & Roberts, J.E. (2024).  The effect of anxiety and autism symptom severity on restricted and repetitive behaviors over time in children with fragile X syndrome.  Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 16(1), 61.https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/l0.1186/s11689-024-09569-2.pdf

Moskowitz, L.J., Braconnier-Krupa, M., Jeyanayagam, B., & Hieneman, M. (2024).  Piloting Positive Family Intervention as a group intervention for parents of children with autism.  International Journal of Positive Behavioural Support, 14(2), 17-30. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contenton/bid/ijpbs/2024/00000014/00000002/art00004

Drahota, A., Sridhar, A., Moskowitz, L.J., Kerns, C.M., Soorya, L., Wainer, A., Cohn, E., & Lerner, M. D. (2023). Usual care for autistic youth: Community-based providers’ reported use of treatment practices in the United States. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1212084

Moskowitz, L. J. & Braconnier, M.* (2023). Assessing anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorder. Psychology in the Schools, 60, 329-344. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22669

Cooper, C. M., Rosen, T., Kim, H., Eaton, N., Cohn, E., Drahota, A., Moskowitz, L. J., UCAS Consortium, Lerner, M. D., & Kerns, C. M. (2023). Predictors of expert providers’ familiarity withintervention practices for school- and transition-age youth with autism spectrum disorder. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 27(2), 331-343. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221100787

Shah, M.*, Moskowitz, L. J. & Felver, J. C. (2022). Soles of the Feet Mindfulness-Based Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Challenging Behavior. Mindfulness, 13, 1342-1353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01887-7

Lerner, M.D., Brown, C.E., Sridhar, A., Tschida, J.E., Felsman, P.G., Libsack, E.J., Kerns, C.M., Moskowitz, L., Soorya, L., Wainer, A., Cohn, E., & Drahota, A. (2022). Usual care for youth with autism spectrum disorder: Community-based providers’ reported familiarity with treatment practices. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13:923025. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.923025

Moskowitz, L. J. & Durand, V. M. (2022). Behavioral interventions for sleep problems in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In S. M. Edelson & J. B. Johnson (Eds.), Understanding and Treating Sleep Problems in Autism: A Multidisciplinary Approach. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Braconnier, M.*, Garza, I.*, & Moskowitz, L. J. (2022). Psychopathologies associated with ASD: Anxiety, OCD, Depression, and ADHD. In J. L Matson & P. Sturmey, (Eds.), Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (pp. 29-50). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-88538-0_2

Durand, V. M. & Moskowitz, L. J. (2021). Functional communication training: Treating challenging behavior. In P. A. Prelock & R. McCauley (Eds.), Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence-Based Intervention Strategies for Communication and Social Interaction, Second Edition. Baltimore, MD: Paul Brookes Publishing.

Moskowitz, L. J. & Durand, V. M. (2021). Reducing challenging behavior with a better way to communicate: A fourth grader with ASD. In P. A. Prelock & R. McCauley (Eds.), Case Studies for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Baltimore, MD: Paul Brookes Publishing.

Lawlor, J., Thomas, C., Guhin, A. T., Kenyon, K., Lerner, M. D., UCAS Consortium, & Drahota, A. (2021). Suspicious and fraudulent online survey participation: Introducing the REAL framework. Methodological Innovations, 14(3), 1-10. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/20597991211050467

Note: The UCAS Consortium comprised (in alphabetical order): Elizabeth Cohn, Amy Drahota, Connor Kerns, Matthew Lerner, Lauren Moskowitz, Latha Soorya, and Allison Wainer.

Mueller, R. A.* & Moskowitz, L. J. (2020). Positive Family Intervention for three families of children with autism spectrum disorder: An examination of parental beliefs. Journal of Child and Family Studies. doi: 10.1007/s10826-020-01830-1. To view paper, go to: https://rdcu.be/b7tRi

Moskowitz, L. J., Will, E. A., Black, C. J., & Roberts, J. E. (2020). Restricted and repetitive behaviors in males and females with fragile X syndrome: Developmental trajectories in toddlers through young adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi: 10.1007/s10803-020-04459-7

Berliner, S.*, Moskowitz, L. J., *Braconnier, M., & Chaplin, W. F. (2020). The role of parental attributions and discipline in predicting child problem behavior in preschoolers with and without autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 32, 695-717. doi: 10.1007/s10882-019-09715-y

Kerns, C. M., Berkowitz, S. J., Moskowitz, L. J., Drahota, A., Lerner, M., the Usual Care for Autism Study (UCAS) Consortium, & Newschaffer, C. J. (2020). Screening and treatment of trauma-related symptoms in youth with ASD amongst community providers. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 24, 515-525. doi: 10.1177/1362361319847908

Moskowitz, L. J., *Braconnier, M., & *Jeffay, M. (2020). Assessing and treating anxiety in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In S. M. Edelson & J. Johnson (Eds.), Understanding and treating anxiety in autism: A multi-disciplinary approach. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Moskowitz, L. J., & Edelson, S. M. (2020). Introduction. In S. M. Edelson & J. Johnson (Eds.), Understanding and treating anxiety in autism: A multi-disciplinary approach. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Durand, V. M., & Moskowitz, L. J. (2019). The link between problem behavior and communication impairment in persons with developmental disabilities. Current Developmental Disorders Reports, 6, 138-144. doi: 10.1007/s40474-019-00172-y

Moskowitz, L. J., *Braconnier, M., & *Jeffay, M. (2019). Anxiety and phobias in individuals with intellectual disabilities. In J. L. Matson (Ed.), Handbook of Intellectual Disabilities: Integrating Theory, Research, and Practice. Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-20843-1_44

Kerns, C. M., Moskowitz, L J., Rosen, T., Drahota, A., Wainer, A., *Josephson, A. R., Soorya, L., Cohn, E., Chacko, A., & Lerner, M. D. (2018). A multisite, multidisciplinary Delphi consensus study describing “usual care” intervention strategies for school-age to transition-age youth with autism. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 48:sup1, S247-S268, doi: 10.1080/15374416.2017.1410826

Moskowitz, L. J., Walsh, C. E., Mulder, E., Magito McLaughlin, D., Hajcak, G., Carr, E. G., & Zarcone, J. R. (2017). Intervention for anxiety and problem behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi: 10.1007/s10803-017-3070-z

Wainer, A., Drahota, A., Cohn, E., Kerns, C., Lerner, M. D., Marro, B., Moskowitz, L. J., Soorya, L (2017). Understanding the landscape of psychosocial intervention practices for social, emotional, and behavioral challenges in youth with ASD: A study protocol. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 10, 178-197. doi: 10.1080/19315864.2017.1284289

Moskowitz, L. J., Rosen, T., Lerner, M. D., & Levine, K. (2017). Assessment of anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorder. In C. Kerns, E. Storch, P. Kendall, J. J. Wood, & P. Renno (Eds.), Evidence Based Assessment and Treatment of Anxiety in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-805122-1.00005-3

Smith, C. E., Carr, E. G., & Moskowitz, L. J. (2016). Fatigue as a biological setting event for severe problem behavior in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 23, 131-144. doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2015.12.003

Moskowitz, L. J., Walsh, C. W., & Durand, V. M. (2016). Assessment and intervention for self-injurious behavior using positive behavior support. In S. M. Edelson & J. B. Johnson (Eds.), Understanding and treating self-injurious behavior: A multidisciplinary perspective. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Moskowitz, L. J., & Ritter, A. B.* (2016). Assessment and intervention for self-injurious behavior related to anxiety. In S. M. Edelson & J. B. Johnson (Eds.), Understanding and treating self-injurious behavior: A multidisciplinary perspective. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Durand, V. M., & Moskowitz. L. J. (2016). Using Functional Communication Training to treat self-injurious behavior. In S. M. Edelson & J. B. Johnson (Eds.), Understanding and treating self-injurious behavior: A multidisciplinary perspective. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Moskowitz, L. J. & Jones, E. A. (2015). Uncovering the evidence for behavioral interventions with individuals with fragile X syndrome. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 38, 223-241. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.12.011

Durand, V. M., & Moskowitz, L. J. (2015). Functional Communication Training: 30 years of treating challenging behavior. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 1-11.

Moskowitz, L. J., Mulder, E., Walsh, C. McLaughlin, D. M., Zarcone, J., Hajcak, G., & Carr, E. G. (2013). A Multimethod assessment of anxiety and problem behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 118, 419-434. doi: 10.1352/1944.7558.118.6.419

Martin, G. E., Roberts, J. E., Helm-Estabrooks, N., Sideris, J., Assall, J., & Moskowitz, L. J. (2012). Perseveration in the connected speech of boys with fragile X syndrome with and without autism spectrum disorder. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 117, 384-399. doi: 10.1352/1944-7558-117.5.384

Moskowitz, L.J., Carr, E. G., & Durand, V. M. (2011). Behavioral intervention for problem behavior in children with fragile X syndrome. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 116, 457–478. doi:10.1352/1944-7558-116.6.457.

Cohen, I. L., Yoo, J. H., Goodwin, M. S., & Moskowitz, L.J. (2011) Assessing challenging behaviors in autism spectrum disorders: Prevalence, rating scales and autonomic indicators. In J. L. Matson & P. Sturmey (Eds.), International Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. New York, NY: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4419-8065-6_15

Roberts, J.E., Chapman, R.S., Martin, G.E., & Moskowitz, L.J. (2008). Language of preschool and school-age children with Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome. In J.E. Roberts, R.S. Chapman, and S.F. Warren (Eds.), Speech and Language Development and Intervention in Down Syndrome and Fragile X Syndrome (pp. 77-115). Baltimore, MD: Paul Brookes.

Roberts, J., Martin, G.E., Moskowitz, L.J., Harris, A., Foreman, J., & Nelson, L. (2007). Discourse skills of boys with fragile X syndrome in comparison to boys with Down syndrome. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 50, 475–492. doi:10.1044/1092-4388(2007/033)

Roberts, J., Price, J., Barnes, E., Nelson, L., Burchinal, M., Hennon, E., Moskowitz, L.J., Edwards, A., Malkin, C., Anderson, K., Misenheimer, J., & Hooper, S.R. (2007). Receptive vocabulary, expressive vocabulary, and speech production of boys with fragile X syndrome in comparison to boys with Down syndrome. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 112, 177-193. doi: 10.1352/0895-8017(2007)112[177:RVEVAS]2.0.CO;2

 

 

 

 

 

Graduate Courses

PSY 749: Behavior Therapy

PSY 756: Evidence-Based Interventions

PSY 745: Applied Behavior Analysis

PSY 744: Assessment & Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders

PSY 716: Psychoeducational Consultation

Undergraduate Courses

PSY 2990: Sophomore Seminar

PSY 3410: Autism and Intellectual Disabilities

PSY 3420: Applied Behavior Analysis & Positive Behavior Support

Berliner, Sarah (2017). Parental attributions, discipline, and problem behavior in preschoolers with and without autism (Order No. 10609750). Available from ProQuest Central; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1904635643). https://jerome.stjohns.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/parental-attributions-discipline-problem-behavior/docview/1904635643/se-2

Braconnier-Krupa, Megan (2022). Social Attention and Memory in Youth with ASD, ADNP Syndrome, and FOXP1 Syndrome (Order No. 29392635). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2718225452). https://jerome.stjohns.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/social-attention-memory-youth-with-asd-adnp/docview/2718225452/se-2

Eden, Destiny (in progress). Using Direct Observation to Measure Conversational Outcomes in Intensive Group Behavioral Treatment for Tweens/Teens with Selective Mutism. School Psychology, Psy.D.

Gabriele, Ashley (2022). Exploring the Relationship between Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors, Anxiety, and Aggression in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Order No. 28961901). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2644058212). https://jerome.stjohns.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/exploring-relationship-between-restricted/docview/2644058212/se-2

Garza, Iris (in progress). Positive Behavioral Support for Bilingual Parents of Children with Autism. School Psychology, Psy.D.

Goodman, Alyssa (in progress). Using Video Modeling to Teach Appropriate Courtship Behavior to Adolescents with Autism: A Single Subject Study. School Psychology, Psy.D.

Goodman, Christia (2017). Relationship between attendance at Autism Friendly Spaces events and parent satisfaction with community participation and inclusion (Order No. 10610323). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1905834462). https://jerome.stjohns.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/relationship-between-attendance-at-autism/docview/1905834462/se-2

Jeffay, Melissa (2021). Effect of a Swim-Based Parent Training Program on a Parent’s Use of Evidence-Based Strategies with Her Child with Autism (Order No. 28490353). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2554319480). https://jerome.stjohns.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/effect-swim-based-parent-training-program-on-s/docview/2554319480/se-2

Josephson, Anne (2019). Parental Overprotection and Its Relation to Child Test Anxiety and Performance (Doctoral dissertation, St. John's University).

Luber, Jana (2018). Effects of PEER-DM on self-determination in adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (Doctoral dissertation, St. John's University).

Mootz, Carmen (2020). Positive Family Intervention for families of children with fragile X syndrome: Using telehealth to reduce problem behavior and improve maternal mental health (Doctoral dissertation, St. John’s University). https://scholar.stjohns.edu/theses_dissertations/43/

Mueller, Robert (2015). Positive family intervention for three families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An examination of parental beliefs (Order No. 3664184). Available from ProQuest Central; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1720329646). https://jerome.stjohns.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/positive-family-intervention-three-families/docview/1720329646/se-2

Nichols, Emily (2021). Behavioral Interventions for Higher-Order Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Autism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Order No. 28544989). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2569563068). https://jerome.stjohns.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/behavioral-interventions-higher-order-restricted/docview/2569563068/se-2

Nicosia, Victoria (in progress; dissertation proposal defended on 10/14/20). Adapting Organizational Skills Training with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. School Psychology, Psy.D.

Palma, Katherine (in progress; dissertation proposal defended on 11/11/20). Perspectives on play from the typically developing sibling of a child with ASD. School Psychology, Psy.D.

Prizer, Jessica (2022). Preschool Teachers’ Knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as It Relates to Accuracy of Symptom Identification (Order No. 29255713). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2703513397). https://jerome.stjohns.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/preschool-teachers-knowledge-autism-spectrum/docview/2703513397/se-2

Shah, Monica (2020). Soles of the Feet Mindfulness-Based Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Challenging Behavior (Order No. 28149329). Available from ProQuest Central; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2513320580). https://jerome.stjohns.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/soles-feet-mindfulness-based-program-students/docview/2513320580/se-2

Vernice, Alex (in progress). Say “Ah,” Not “AHHH!”: Parent Intervention for the Reduction of Dental Anxiety in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. School Psychology, Psy.D.
 

 

 

 

Moskowitz, L. J. (2024, September, 24). Family Chat: Helping Your Anxious Child. Family Chats are led and sponsored by parents and professionals from Parenting Special Needs, Home, and Community Positive Behavior Support Network, Positive Behavior Supports Corporation, Bierman Autism Centers, Parent to Parent USA, and The Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Moskowitz, L.J. (2024, May 20). Addressing Anxiety in Autistic Youth. Invited webinar for the Home and Community Positive Behavior Support Network and the Association for Positive Behavior Support (APBS). 


Moskowitz, L.J. (2024, May 1 & May 10). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Positive Behavior Support (PBS) to Treat Anxiety in Youth and Adults with IDD: Intensive Series Day 1 & Day 2. Invited two-part intensive training for Minnesota DHS and the University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration (ICI).

Moskowitz, L.J. (2023, December 5). Integrating Positive Behavior Support with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Treat Anxiety in Children and Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Invited webinar presented to Minnesota DHS and the University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration (ICI).

Moskowitz, L. J. (2022, May). The evaluation and care of the individual with autism having aggressive or self-injurious behavior. Online webinar presented for Autism Research Institute.

Moskowitz, L. J., Kerns, C., Vogel, J., D’Amico, P., Dababnah, S., Zaheer, I., & Orlova-Zhernovaya, D. (2022, March). Autism & Trauma: Live Q & A Zoom for Ukrainian parents of youth with autism. Translated into Ukrainian and English.
St. John’s Faculty Members Lead Discussion on Impact of War on Autistic Children in Ukraine.
 

Moskowitz, L. J. (2021, October). Behavioral strategies to treat anxiety and autism. Online webinar presented for Autism Research Institute and World Autism Organisation.

Moskowitz, L. J. (2021, January). Live Q&A: Anxiety and ASD in the Pandemic Era. Online webinar presented for Autism Research Institute, San Diego, CA.

Moskowitz, L. J. & Natowicz, M. (2017, September). Anxiety in Individuals with Autism. Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education. Webcast Interview.

Click here to view this webcast interview: http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/online/webcasts/autism-spectrum-disorders-pt3/anxiety-with-autism-pt2/ http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/online/webcasts/autism-spectrum-disorders-pt3/anxiety-with-autism-pt1/

Moskowitz, L. J. (2017, March). Live Q&A: Anxiety in ASD. Webinar presented for Autism Research Institute, San Diego, CA. (Invited Speaker). Click here to view this webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3mBklBbTGs

Moskowitz, L. J. (2017, February). Live Q&A: Self-Injurious Behavior in ASD. Webinar presented for Autism Research Institute, San Diego, CA. Click here to view this webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgU6BtW_qP4

Moskowitz, L. J. (2016, April). Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID). Invited by the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) to film brief informational video on treating anxiety in youth with ASD and ID for National Autism Awareness Month in April. http://www.abct.org/Help/

Moskowitz, L. J. (2016, January). Life Q&A: Self-Injurious Behavior. Webinar presented for Autism Research Institute, San Diego, CA. Click here to view this webinar https://www.facebook.com/135192033186466/photos/a.267022210003447.66080.135192033186466/1032960236742970/?type=3&theater

Moskowitz, L. J. (2015, October). Treating anxiety in individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Webinar presented for Autism Research Institute, San Diego, CA. Click here to view this webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoFJrxQbeI8&feature=youtu.be

Moskowitz, L. J. (2015, June). Assessing and treating challenging behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Webinar presented for Autism Research Institute, San Diego, CA. Click here to view this webinar: http://ariconference.com/?p=1584