About

Amanda Bennett, M.D., M.P.H., is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics specializing in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She serves as an Attending Physician in the Division of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics and is the Medical Director of the Center for Autism Research at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Her research expertise includes autism spectrum disorders, focusing on comorbidities, screening, and treatment, as well as the development of screening tools and clinical trials related to autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Bennett's clinical expertise encompasses diagnosis, medication management, and comorbidity management for autism spectrum disorders, along with sleep management. She also has specialized knowledge in Fragile X syndrome, including medication and comorbidity management, and operates a telemedicine diagnostic clinic for autism spectrum disorder. Her educational background includes a BS in Biology from Bridgewater College, an MD from Marshall University School of Medicine, and an MPH from the University of Pennsylvania.

Research topics

• Pediatrics
• Psychiatry
• Medicine
• Family medicine
• Psychology
• Demography

Selected publications

• Evaluating More Granular Options for Socio‐Demographic Questions in Autism Research

  Autism Research · 2025-04-21

  articleOpen access

  We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of adding more detailed choices for race, ethnicity, sex, gender, and socio-economic status for a demographic survey used by families both within and outside a large learning health network, the Autism Care Network (ACNet). We updated our demographic survey using an iterative approach, incorporating qualitative and quantitative feedback from interested parties across the US and Canada. Pilot testing of the revised survey was conducted with families with and without autism served by two large academic pediatric tertiary care centers. Through purposive sampling, recruitment was enriched for families from ethnic, racial, or gender minority backgrounds. The updated demographic survey increased the number of response options for race and ethnicity, sex, gender, and language. 85 families within the ACNet and 242 families outside the ACNet provided feasibility and acceptability data. 41% of respondents were from nonWhite or multiple race groups. 99% of respondents rated the updated form same or better than the original. 91% of respondents rated the updated form as acceptable, while 97% rated the survey as feasible. Despite concerns about the burden on respondents, we found high rates of feasibility and acceptability of more granular response options in demographic surveys. Researchers can adapt this approach to make their own more granular demographic forms focused on the specific variables relevant to their study and local contexts. More granular demographic data can identify strengths and gaps in representation that could impact a study's generalizability.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Longitudinal Characterization of Males With X-Linked Creatine Transporter Deficiency: Final Results of a Multiyear Observational Study

  Pediatric Neurology · 2025-10-30

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: The purpose of the Vigilan observational study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02931682) was to prospectively assess the natural history and developmental course of creatine transporter deficiency (CTD). METHODS: Males with CTD aged 6 months to 65 years were evaluated at 6-month intervals for up to 4 years. Evaluations included neurodevelopmental assessments of intellectual functioning, adaptive functioning, challenging behaviors and the onset and progression of medical comorbidities. RESULTS: Fifty participants (median age, 7.6 years) were enrolled. The predominant CTD phenotype consisted of significant intellectual disabilities and limited skill development over time. Most participants had a history of febrile or nonfebrile seizures, gastrointestinal symptoms, and growth failure. All participants learned how to walk, 78% developed at least some verbal speech, and 34% communicated using phrases or sentences. Norm-referenced neurodevelopment assessments indicated declining standardized scores over time; however, absolute scores (i.e., age equivalent person ability scores) indicated that developmental gains were slower than average, particularly among older participants. Between-person differences in neurodevelopmental skills as a function of age did not match within-person change, suggesting a cohort effect. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, CTD was associated with significant and persistent intellectual disability. The use of absolute metrics from neurodevelopmental tests (e.g., person ability scores) allowed for the quantification of slow, but present, skill development.

  PublisherDOI

• Sleep Problems in Autism Spectrum Disorder

  Pediatric Clinics of North America · 2024-01-30 · 15 citations

  reviewCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Exploring Longitudinal Associations between Teacher Expectancy Effects and Reading Achievement among a US Nationally Representative Sample of K–8 Students

  The Elementary School Journal · 2024-07-23

  articleSenior author

  Teachers’ expectations of student capabilities can meaningfully affect future achievement. However, the consistency of teachers’ expectations over time and their differential impact by student gender and ethnicity have not been thoroughly investigated in the context of students’ reading achievement. The current study investigates the longitudinal influence of teacher expectancy effects on student achievement through a novel measurement approach that considers classroom context while drawing on cognitive assessments and teacher ratings collected through the large, nationally representative Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten data set (N = 8,503 students). Results of the autoregressive cross-lagged models with five time points between kindergarten and eighth grade indicate teachers’ expectations of students’ reading achievement are not significantly associated from one time point to the next, though their effects increase over time. Significant differences in longitudinal expectancy effects based on student gender and ethnicity were not found. Implications for teaching practice based on these results are discussed.

  PublisherDOI

• Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in a large pediatric primary care network

  Autism · 2023-01-18 · 30 citations

  articleOpen access

  In this retrospective cohort study using data from an integrated primary care and subspecialty network, we examined medical records of children seen in primary care at eligible autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening ages and followed through at least 4 years of age. We examined the prevalence of ASD; age of first documented ASD diagnosis; and whether the prevalence and age of documented diagnosis varied by race, ethnicity, socio-economic status (SES) and site of care (urban versus suburban/rural). The prevalence of ASD across the cohort was 3.2%, with a median age of diagnosis of 3.93 years. ASD prevalence was unexpectedly higher among Asian children, non-Hispanic Black children, children with higher Social Vulnerability Index scores (a neighborhood-level proxy of socio-economic risk), and children who received care in urban primary care sites. There were no statistically significant differences in age at which ASD diagnosis was documented across socio-demographic groups. Receiving primary care at an urban site accounted for most other socio-demographic differences in ASD prevalence rates, except among Asian children, who were found to have higher adjusted odds of ASD diagnosis compared to White children (aOR = 1.82, p < .001). Determining what clinical-, individual- or systems-level factors contribute to ASD diagnosis remains important to improve equity. Lay Abstract Historically, children from non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic backgrounds, those from lower-income families, and girls are less likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Under-identification among these historically and contemporaneously marginalized groups can limit their access to early, autism spectrum disorder-specific interventions, which can have long-term negative impacts. Recent data suggest that some of these trends may be narrowing, or even reversing. Using electronic health record data, we calculated autism spectrum disorder prevalence rates and age of first documented diagnosis across socio-demographic groups. Our cohort included children seen at young ages (when eligible for screening in early childhood) and again at least after 4 years of age in a large primary care network. We found that autism spectrum disorder prevalence was unexpectedly higher among Asian children, non-Hispanic Black children, children with higher Social Vulnerability Index scores (a measure of socio-economic risk at the neighborhood level), and children who received care in urban primary care sites. We did not find differences in the age at which autism spectrum disorder diagnoses were documented in children’s records across these groups. Receiving primary care at an urban site (regardless of location of specialty care) appeared to account for most other socio-demographic differences in autism spectrum disorder prevalence rates, except among Asian children, who remained more likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder after controlling for other factors. We must continue to better understand the process by which children with autism spectrum disorder from traditionally under-identified and under-served backgrounds come to be recognized, to continue to improve the equity of care.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A Practice Pathway for the Treatment of Night Wakings in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

  Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · 2023-06-26 · 15 citations

  reviewOpen access

  Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) report high rates of sleep problems. In 2012, the Autism Treatment Network/ Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (ATN/AIR-P) Sleep Committee developed a pathway to address these concerns. Since its publication, ATN/AIR-P clinicians and parents have identified night wakings as a refractory problem unaddressed by the pathway. We reviewed the existing literature and identified 76 scholarly articles that provided data on night waking in children with ASD. Based on the available literature, we propose an updated practice pathway to identify and treat night wakings in children with ASD.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Effect of Family Navigation on Participation in Part C Early Intervention

  Academic Pediatrics · 2023-03-31 · 17 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Large Primary Care Network

  Academic Pediatrics · 2022-04-20 · 10 citations

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Children with Neurodevelopmental Delays: Relations to Diagnoses, Behavioral Health, and Clinical Severity

  Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings · 2021-03-24 · 6 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Effect of Family Navigation on Diagnostic Ascertainment Among Children at Risk for Autism

  JAMA Pediatrics · 2021 · 60 citations

  • Medicine
  • Family medicine
  • Pediatrics

  Importance: Early identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with improved cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Targeted strategies are needed to support equitable access to diagnostic services to ensure that children from low-income and racial/ethnic minority families receive the benefits of early ASD identification and treatment. Objective: To test the efficacy of family navigation (FN), an individually tailored, culturally informed care management strategy, to increase the likelihood of achieving diagnostic ascertainment among young children at risk for ASD. Design, Setting, and Participants: This randomized clinical trial of 249 families of children aged 15 to 27 months who had positive screening results for possible ASD was conducted in 11 urban primary care sites in 3 cities. Data collection occurred from February 24, 2015, through November 5, 2018. Statistical analysis was performed on an intent-to-treat basis from November 5, 2018, to July 27, 2020. Interventions: Families were randomized to FN or conventional care management (CCM). Families receiving FN were assigned a navigator who conducted community-based outreach to families to address structural barriers to care and support engagement in recommended services. Families receiving CCM were assigned to a care manager, who did limited telephone outreach. Families received FN or CCM after positive initial screening results and for 100 days after diagnostic ascertainment. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome, diagnostic ascertainment, was measured as the number of days from randomization to completion of the child's clinical developmental evaluation, when a diagnosis of ASD or other developmental disorder was determined. Results: Among 250 families randomized, 249 were included in the primary analysis (174 boys [69.9%]; mean [SD] age, 22.0 [3.5] months; 205 [82.3%] publicly insured; 233 [93.6%] non-White). Children who received FN had a greater likelihood of reaching diagnostic ascertainment over the course of 1 year (FN, 108 of 126 [85.7%]; CCM, 94 of 123 [76.4%]; unadjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.39 [95% CI, 1.05-1.84]). Site (Boston, New Haven, and Philadelphia) and ethnicity (Hispanic vs non-Hispanic) moderated the effect of FN (treatment × site interaction; P = .03; Boston: HR, 2.07 [95% CI, 1.31-3.26]; New Haven: HR, 1.91 [95% CI, 0.94-3.89]; and Philadelphia: HR, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.60-1.37]) (treatment × ethnicity interaction; P < .001; Hispanic families: HR, 2.81 [95% CI, 2.23-3.54] vs non-Hispanic families: HR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.45-1.53]). The magnitude of FN's effect was significantly greater among Hispanic families than among non-Hispanic families (diagnostic ascertainment among Hispanic families: FN, 90.9% [30 of 33], and CCM, 53.3% [16 of 30]; vs non-Hispanic families: FN, 89.7% [35 of 39], and CCM, 77.5% [31 of 40]). Conclusions and Relevance: Family navigation improved the likelihood of diagnostic ascertainment among children from racial/ethnic minority, low-income families who were detected as at risk for ASD in primary care. Results suggest differential effects of FN by site and ethnicity. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02359084.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Judith S. Miller

  35 shared

• Kate Wallis

  University of Pennsylvania

  26 shared

• W. Spencer Guthrie

  Brigham Young University

  24 shared

• Marsha Gerdes

  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

  14 shared

• Zoë C. Wong

  National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

  12 shared

• David S. Mandell

  May Institute

  12 shared

• Susan E. Levy

  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

  11 shared

• Margaret C. Souders

  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

  10 shared

Education

• B.S., Biology

  Bridgewater College

  1997

• M.D.

  Marshall University School of Medicine

  2002

• Other

  University of Pennsylvania

  2009