Susan Mayes

Susan D. Mayes is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Pennsylvania State University, affiliated with the Penn State Neuroscience Institute and the Division of Child Outpatient Services. Her research focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and related psychopathology dimensions. She has led a long-standing grant project since 2005 investigating predictors of academic achievement and learning disabilities in reading, math, and written expression, funded by the Spencer Foundation.

Her work emphasizes empirical distinctions between conditions like Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (formerly Sluggish Cognitive Tempo) and autism traits, as well as the impact of sleep patterns, insomnia, and developmental factors on childhood mental health. Recent studies include longitudinal analyses of neurodevelopmental trajectories and cross-informant ratings of psychological problems in children with ADHD and autism.

Mayes has published over 136 peer-reviewed articles and contributed to journals such as Psychology in the Schools, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, and Child Psychiatry and Human Development. Her research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being, particularly addressing neurodiversity and childhood mental health challenges.