Kristen Bottema-Beutel

Kristen Bottema-Beutel is a Professor at Boston College's Carolyn A. and Peter S. Lynch School of Education and Human Development, specializing in the Teaching, Curriculum, and Society department. Her work focuses on autistic communication, social development, and inclusive educational strategies. She directs the autism certificate program and the Curriculum & Instruction Ph.D. program.

• Affiliations: Deputy Editor of Autism in Adulthood, Associate Editor of Autism.
• Education: Ph.D. (UC Berkeley), M.A. (San Francisco State), B.S. (University of Michigan).

Research Interests: Autistic social interaction dynamics, peer inclusion strategies, research ethics, and ableism critiques in autism studies. She emphasizes qualitative and quantitative methods to improve support systems for autistic individuals.

Grants: NIH-funded projects, including the Sensory Project in Infant/Toddler Siblings of Children with Autism (2022–2027) and developmental joint engagement studies (2018–2020).

Awards: Multiple fellowships from UC Berkeley, SFSU, and NIH.

Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles, including influential works on autism intervention meta-analyses and anti-ableist research practices.