Deborah Waber

Deborah Waber, PhD is Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and serves as Director of the Learning Disabilities Program in the Department of Neurology and Director of the Behavioral Science Core at the Translational Neuroscience Center at Boston Children's Hospital. Her work spans clinical practice, research, and academic leadership in pediatric neuropsychology and developmental disorders.

Dr. Waber received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1970, followed by a PhD in Developmental Psychology from Yale University in 1974. She completed her post-doctoral training at Boston Children's Hospital in 1974, where she subsequently joined the staff.

Dr. Waber's research investigates the influence of endogenous and exogenous factors on children's cognitive and behavioral functioning within a developmental context. Her primary research interests include normative brain and behavioral development, developmentally based disabilities (particularly learning disabilities), and pediatric conditions that affect brain development. She approaches learning disabilities through a 'whole child' perspective, viewing them as variants of normal development where problems arise when community and school expectations don't align with a child's profile of strengths and weaknesses.

Analysis of Dr. Waber's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on neurobehavioral aspects of learning disabilities, the impact of childhood cancer and other medical conditions on neurodevelopment, and the long-term and intergenerational effects of infant malnutrition. Her work frequently employs longitudinal designs and integrates multiple methodologies including neuropsychological assessment, neuroimaging, and behavioral observation. A significant portion of her research examines executive function, visual processing in learning disorders, and quality of life outcomes for children with learning disabilities.

Dr. Waber has directed the Learning Disabilities Program at Boston Children's Hospital since 2011 and was promoted to Professor at Harvard Medical School in 2013. She has received grant support from major federal agencies including NIMH, NINDS, and NICHD throughout her career. Her clinical work focuses on improving the fit between children's cognitive profiles and educational environments.

Dr. Waber leads the Behavioral Science Core in the Clinical Research Center and co-directs the Neurobehavior Core in the Translational Neuroscience Center. Her team conducts research on various aspects of pediatric neuropsychology, including the effects of medical treatments on cognitive development, assessment methodologies for learning disorders, and interventions to improve educational outcomes for children with learning disabilities.