Lauren R Charlot

Lauren R Charlot, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UMass Chan Medical School, affiliated with the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. Her work bridges clinical psychiatry and developmental psychology, focusing on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), autism spectrum disorder, and complex psychiatric presentations.

Her educational background includes a PhD in Developmental and Educational Psychology from Boston College, a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Simmons College, and a BS in Liberal Arts & Sciences from Suffolk University. This interdisciplinary training supports her integrative approach to mental health research and practice.

Dr. Charlot's research centers on psychiatric diagnosis, mood and anxiety disorders, psychotropic medication use, and behavioral challenges in IDD populations across the lifespan. Her work addresses critical gaps in understanding dual diagnoses, medication side effects, and crisis intervention strategies. Key themes include diagnostic overshadowing, geriatric psychiatry in IDD, and the validation of assessment tools like the MASS interview.

Her recent publications analyze trends in psychiatric hospitalization, medication use in youth and older adults with IDD, and the complexities of diagnosing mental illness in cognitively impaired populations. These studies collectively highlight a sustained focus on improving clinical outcomes through evidence-based assessment and treatment.

• Psychiatric diagnostic dilemmas in IDD (2022)
• Medication use in older adults with IDD (2022)
• Psychotropic use in youth with IDD (2021)
• Hospitalization in START program referrals (2016)
• Non-psychiatric health problems in inpatients (2011)

While no formal awards or grants are listed in the provided text, her work has been cited in policy sources, news outlets, and social media, indicating real-world impact. She has collaborated with researchers such as Jean Frazier, William McIlvane, and Curtis Deutsch, contributing to a growing body of literature on IDD and mental health.

Dr. Charlot is actively involved in research and clinical scholarship, with no indication of retirement or former status. She has not listed any advisees or students in the available data. She is part of a research network focused on intellectual disability and autism, and her work is frequently discussed in academic and public forums.