Sarah Rieth

Dr. Sarah Rieth is an Associate Professor in the Department of Child and Family Development at San Diego State University, specializing in autism spectrum disorders research and intervention. Her work bridges academic research with community practice through evidence-based approaches.

Her educational foundation includes:

• Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, UC San Diego
• M.A. in Experimental Psychology, UC San Diego
• B.S. in Psychology, UC San Diego
• B.A. in Linguistics, UC San Diego

Dr. Rieth's research centers on early social communication intervention for autism, with emphasis on parent-mediated strategies and implementation science. Her work systematically addresses the critical gap between research-proven interventions and real-world application through teacher training adaptations, fidelity assessment, and community partnership development. This translational focus targets sustainable implementation of evidence-based practices in natural settings.

Analysis of her 11 publications (2010-2025) reveals consistent contributions to pivotal response teaching methodology, with growing emphasis on implementation challenges after 2012. Her work spans behavioral analysis, special education, and implementation science, demonstrating increasing collaboration with community stakeholders to adapt interventions for classroom and home settings.

As an active educator, Dr. Rieth teaches Clinical Field Experience (CFD 792) and previously instructed courses in positive behavior support, eco-behavioral assessment, and applied behavior analysis. Her mentorship involves guiding graduate students through clinical placements while advancing research on autism intervention fidelity.

Though no formal lab structure is documented, her research program operates through SDSU's Department of Child and Family Development with strong ties to UC San Diego collaborators. Her work maintains continuous publication output indicating active research funding streams focused on autism intervention implementation.