Researcher | Research Overview
Dr. Harstad's research focuses primarily on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders. She is involved in ongoing data analyses of data collected from developmental behavioral pediatricians across several US academic medical centers to identify practice patterns for ADHD management. Another one of her current projects related to ADHD is evaluating if stimulant medication used to treat ADHD affects adult height; results show no loss of height in those who took stimulant medication during childhood. Dr. Harstad is also involved in 2 separate studies investigating ways to identify children with developmental delays who are at highest risk of having an autism spectrum disorder. In previous work she has shown that there is a disparity in receipt of special education services for children with autism spectrum disorders; higher maternal education levels are associated with increased likelihood of the child receiving special education.