Kristina Lopez

klopez27@asu.edu
602-496-0073

Assistant Professor
Faculty
DTPHX Campus
Mailcode
3920

Assistant Professor
Faculty
DTPHX Campus
Mailcode
3920

Biography

In her research, Kristina Lopez explores disparities in early diagnosis and subsequent intervention services among underserved children and families including low-income, limited-education and racial/ethnic minorities with a specialization in Latino children with autism. She focuses on the impact of developmental disabilities and complex health needs among children on family systems across racial and ethnic groups and socioeconomic levels. Her research is grounded in a multidisciplinary framework in which she incorporates developmental psychology, social work and public health disciplines to investigate disparities, ecological and socio-cultural perspectives of family support, developmental disabilities and early intervention.

Education

  • Ph.D. Social Work and Psychology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor 2013    
  • M.S. Developmental Psychology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor 2012
  • M.S.W. Interpersonal Practice, Children and Youth in Families and Society, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor 2010
  • M.A. General Experimental Psychology (with Distinction), California State University Northridge 2007
  • B.A. Psychology (Magna Cum Laude), California State University Northridge 2005

Google Scholar

Google Scholar Profile

Research Interests

Ecological and socio-cultural perspectives on developmental disabilities and early intervention; development, implementation, and evaluation of culturally informed autism intervention; racial and ethnic disparities in child and mother mental health; Latino children and families. Strategic coordinator for the First Place fellowship 

  • https://www.firstplaceaz.org/about/team/kristina-lopez/
  • https://www.firstplaceaz.org/leadership-institute/fellowships/

Research Group

  • Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center, faculty affiliate
  • School of Transborder Studies, faculty affiliate
  • National Hispanic Science Network, early career member

 

Publications

  1. Campbell, R., Dennis, M. K., Lopez, K., Matthew, R. A., & Choi, Y. J. (in press). Qualitative research in communities of color: Five researchers share challenges experienced, strategies employed, and lessons learned. Journal of the Society for Social Work Research.
  2. Lopez, K., *Marroquin, J. M., & *Gutierrez, C. (in press). Methods to decrease disparities in age of autism diagnosis and treatment access among Latinx children. Social Work.
  3. Magaña, S., Lopez, K., Morales, M., Salkas, K., Iland, E., Garcia, M., Zeng, W., & Machalicek, K. (2019). A randomized waitlist control group of a culturally tailored parent education intervention for Latino parents of children with ASD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities. doi: 10.1007/s10803-019-04252-1
  4. Lopez, K., Magaña, S., Iland, E., & Morales, M. (2019). Parents Taking Action: Reducing disparities through a culturally informed intervention for Latinx parents of children with autism. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 28(1), 31-49. doi: 10.1080/15313204.2019.1570890
  5. Lopez, K., *Reed, J. & Magaña, S. (2019). Associations among family burden, optimism, services received and unmet need within families of children with ASD. Children and Youth Services Review, 98, 105-112. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.12.027
  6. Mendoza, N., Lechuga-Pena, S., Lopez, K., & Jackson, K. (2018). “Mi’jita, What for?” Exploring bicultural identity of Latina/Chicana Faculty and implications for supporting Latinx students in social work. Affilia. doi: 10/1177/0886109918806278
  7. Lechuga-Pena, S., Becerra, D., Mitchell, F. M., Lopez, K., & Sangalang, C. (2019). Subsidized housing and low-income mother’s school-based parent involvement: Findings from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study Wave Five. Child Youth Care Forum. doi: 10.1007/s10566-018-9481-y
  8. Sangalang, C., Becerra, D., Mitchell, F. M., Lechuga-Peña, S., Lopez, K., & Kim, I. (2018). Trauma, migration status, and mental health: A comparative analysis of refugees and immigrants in the United States. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s10903-018-0826-2
  9. Lopez, K., & Magaña, S. (2018). Perceived family problems and pessimism among Latina and Non-Latina White mothers raising children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s10803-018-3640-8
  10. Lopez, K., Xu, Y., Magaña, S., & Guzman, J. (2018). Parent's reaction to autism diagnosis: A qualitative analysis comparing Latino and White parents. Journal of Rehabilitation, 84(1), 41-50.
  11. Magaña, S., Lopez, K., & Machalicek, W. (2017). Parents Taking Action: A psycho-educational intervention for Latino parents of children with ASD. Family Process, 56(1), 59-74.
  12. Lopez, K. (2014). Socio-cultural perspectives of Latino children with autism spectrum disorder. Best Practices in Behavioral Mental Health, 10(2), 15-31.
  13. Magaña, S., Lopez, K., Paradiso de Sayu, R., & Miranda, E. (2014). Use of promotoras de salud in interventions with Latino families of children with IDD. International Review of Research in Developmental Disabilities, 47, 40-69.
  14. Magaña, S., Lopez, K., Aguinaga, A., & Morton, H. (2013). Access to diagnosis and care among Latino children with ASDs. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 51(3), 141-153.
  15. Ortiz, C., Valerio, M., & Lopez, K. (2012). Trends in Latino academic achievement: Where do we go from here? Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, 11(2), 136-148.
  16. Luyster, R., Lopez, K., & Lord, C. (2007). Characterizing communicative development in children referred for autism spectrum disorder using the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory (CDI). Journal of Child Language, 34(3), 623-654.
  17. Luyster, R., Qiu, S., Lopez, K., & Lord, C. (2007). Predicting outcomes of children referred for autism using the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory (CDI). Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research, 50(3), 667-681.

Research Activity

07/2018-6/2019     College of Public Service and Community Solutions Internal Grant and Funding Mechanism: Technical Assistance Grant, Role: PI; Assessing Parent and Child Behavior in the Context of a Culturally Informed Intervention for Latino Families of Children with Autism: $5,000

08/2017-present     Arizona State University School of Social Work Director’s Initiative Funds, Role: PI; Innovation in the Parents Taking Action Program: Pivotal Response Training and Culturally Informed Intervention: $20,000

10/2014-09/2017 National Institute of Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research Field Initiated Research Program Grant; Role: Co-PI, Parents Taking Action: An Educational Program for Latino Parents of Children with Autism and Communication Challenges: subcontract, $76,467 

 

Courses

Spring 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
SWU 306Ethics in Social Services
SWG 617Adv Soc Wk Prac/Children
Fall 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
SWU 306Ethics in Social Services
Spring 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
SWG 617Adv Soc Wk Prac/Children
Fall 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
SWG 501Micro Human Behav Soc Environ
Spring 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
SWG 617Adv Soc Wk Prac/Children
Fall 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
SWG 608Ecol Appr Pract Child,Yth Fam
Spring 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
SWG 617Adv Soc Wk Prac/Children
Fall 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
SWG 608Ecol Appr Pract Child,Yth Fam

Presentations

INVITED TALKS & COLLOQUIUMS

2018     Phoenix Childrens Hospital - Nursing Research and Evidenced Based Practice Seminar, Managing Challenging Behaviors and Considering Culture in Supporting Children with ASD in Care Settings

2018     TRiO Student Support Service at Mesa Community College, Navigating College with a Disability

2017     National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference, Orlando, FL, Parents Taking Action: Supporting Latino  Families Raising Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

2017     Glendale Community College - Mental Health and Behavior Conference and Career Expo,  Parents Taking Action - Family Support for Latino Families Caring for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

 

SELECTED CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

11/2018           Council on Social Work Education Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL

Lopez, K., & *Marroquin, M. Using interprofessional practice to reduce autism disparities among Latinx families. Accepted for paper presentation.

11/2018           American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo, San Diego, CA

Sangalang, C., Becerra, D., Mitchell, F. M., Lechuga-Pe�a, S., Lopez, K., Kim, I. Trauma, migration status, and mental health: A comparative analysis of refugees and immigrants in the United States. Accepted for paper presentation.

05/2018           International Society for Autism Research Annual Meeting, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Lopez, K., Maga�a, S., & Morales, M. Randomized control trial: Impact of the Parents Taking Action program on Latino children with ASD and their parents. Paper presentation.

05/2018           International Society for Autism Research Annual Meeting, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Lopez, K., *Reed, J., & Maga�a, S. The influence of ethnicity, family problems, and optimism on services received among Latino and non-Latino White children with ASD. Poster presentation.

04/2018           Gatlinburg Conference, San Diego, CA; Lopez, K., Maga�a, S., Machalicek, W., & Morales, M. Parents Taking Action California: Addressing disparities in services and improving outcomes for Latino children with ASD. Paper presentation.

10/2017           Arizona Health Equity Conference, Glendale, AZ; Lopez, K., *Hernandez, G., & *Marroquin, M. Community engagement to reduce disparities in age of autism diagnosis and treatment access among Latino families in AZ. Poster presentation.

03/2017           Gatlinburg Conference, San Antonio, TX; Lopez, K., & Maga�a, S. Optimism and coping strategies among Latina mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Paper presentation.

03/2017           Gatlinburg Conference, San Antonio, TX; Maga�a, S., Machalicek, W., & Lopez, K. Mechanisms for change: Using peers to deliver parent education for Latina mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Paper presentation.

01/2017           Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA; Campbell, R., Choi, Y., Dennis, M., Elkins, J., & Lopez, K. Qualitative research in communities of color: A discussion of challenges experienced, strategies employed, and lessons learned. Roundtable discussion.

01/2017           Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA; Lopez, K., Maga�a, S., & Piper, L. Impact of mother-reported optimism and pessimism on services received and needed among Latino and White children with autism. Paper presentation.

01/2017           Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA; Xu, Y., Maga�a, S., Guzman, J., & Lopez, K. Parent's reaction to Autism diagnosis: A qualitative analysis comparing Latino and White parents. Paper presentation.

04/2016           Western Psychological Association Annual Conference, Long Beach, CA; *Thornburgh, G., *Plascencia, J., Lopez, K., & Maga�a, S. Parent intervention influence on efficacy and depression among Latina mothers. Poster presentation.

01/2016           Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference, Washington DC; Lopez, K., Maga�a, S., & Piper, L. Application of the modified socio-cultural framework for health service disparities: Family burden among Latino families of children with autism spectrum disorder. Paper presentation.

Honors/Awards

03/2018                International Society for Autism Research Conference Diversity Award

03/2017                Anne Larason Schneider Community Research Award

Professional Associations

International Society for Autism Research

National Council for Family Research

Society for Social Work Research

Service

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITION

2018-                      Strategic Coordinator for ASU - First Place Fellowship

 

UNIVERSITY SERVICE

2018-                    ASU University Senate - Senator

2018-                    ASU University Senate - Personnel subcommittee

 

COLLEGE SERVICE

2018                      Faculty Speaker – ASU CPSCS SERVCON

2018                      Keynote Panel Speaker - ASU CPSCS 3rd Annual Doctoral Student Research Conference

2018                      Member - Anne Larason Community Research Award Selection Committee

2017                      Undergraduate Research Symposium Poster Judge

2017                      Faculty Panel Speaker - ASU Sun Devil EXPO

2016                      Outreach - ASU Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program (HMDP) college fair

2016                      Panel Speaker - ASU College of Public Service and Community Solutions Health Profession Week Virtual Career Fair

 

 

DEPARTMENTAL SERVICE

2018-                     Academic Senate Representative - ASU School of Social Work

2017-2018             Faculty Search Committee member - ASU School of Social Work

2017-                     Applied Direct Practice Curriculum Committee member - ASU School of Social Work

2016-2017             Committee on Academic and Professional Standards member - ASU School of Social Work

 

SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

2018                      Parent Group Guest Speaker

                              Grupo de Apoyo para Latinos con Autismo (GALA)

 

2018                      Parent Group Guest Speaker

                              Grupo de Apoyo para Niños Especiales (GANE)

 

2018-                     Member

                              Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels, Hispanic Outreach Advisory Board Member

 

2017-                     Volunteer

                              Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Surgery Waiting Volunteer

 

2017-2018                     Member

                              Glendale Community College Behavioral Health Sciences Occupational Advisory                                   Board 

Work History

08/2013 - 05/2016        Assistant Professor, California State University Long Beach School of Social Work

    Courses taught: Community Projects I and II, Generalist Social Work Practice with Groups, Thesis Supervision, Directed Studies, Advanced Standing Policy Module, Foundation Social Work Practice Skills Macro Intervention, Research Methods, Social Work Applied Projects I and II

Expertise Areas