Jessica Kinard, PhD

Dr. Jessica Kinard is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with dual appointments in the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences. Her background is in bilingual speech-language pathology specializing in communication development and disorders. Her work focuses on:

• Cultural and linguistic diversity in assessment and intervention, particularly among Hispanic, Spanish-speaking families
• Early parent-child interactions and communication outcomes
• Parent- and teacher-delivered communication and play interventions
• Autism spectrum disorder

Through her research, teaching, and clinical work, Dr. Kinard aims to connect families with effective, accessible, and culturally relevant care and education. Her goal is to empower parents so their children can experience intimate, joyful, and meaningful relationships with family and friends.

Institution: UNC Chapel Hill

Project Title: Evaluating a Remote Developmental Assessment for Latinx Infants and Toddlers at High Likelihood for Developing Autism

Project Overview: U.S. Hispanic families with limited English proficiency experience barriers to autism diagnosis, such as lack of Spanish-speaking providers and assessments. Remote assessments in Spanish have the potential to address some of these barriers. This study explored the acceptability and feasibility of a remote developmental assessment (Parent Administered Neurodevelopmental Assessment, i.e., PANDABox) for Hispanic infants at high likelihood for autism.

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