Susan van Rijen

Susan van Rijen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology at the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam. Her research focuses on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), particularly emotional and behavioral problems in autistic children and adolescents, parental well-being, and family resilience during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her research interests lie at the intersection of clinical psychology and developmental disorders. She specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorder, longitudinal analysis, mixed methods research, and familial stressors. Her work investigates how external stressors like pandemics affect behavioral outcomes and mental health in neurodivergent youth and their caregivers.

The recent publications show a strong trend in studying the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents with ASD. The research employs longitudinal designs and mixed methods to assess symptom stability, parental stress, and resilience. Key themes include family functioning, emotional regulation, and the longitudinal trajectory of behavioral issues in ASD populations.

Her scientific awards include:

• Closing webinar on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on families with children with autism spectrum disorder (2021)
• ZonMW – COVID-19 second wave focus area 2 – Bottom up (Fellowship, Jul 2020)

She has been actively involved in advising research projects and contributing to large collaborative grants, particularly those funded by ZonMW. Her collaborative network includes prominent researchers such as L. Dekker, R. van der Hallen, and F. Truijens. She regularly presents at academic conferences and participates in public engagement activities, including webinars on parental care needs during the pandemic.

Susan van Rijen is part of a multidisciplinary research team studying the psychosocial impact of global crises on vulnerable populations, particularly families affected by ASD. The team integrates quantitative and qualitative approaches to generate comprehensive insights into mental health trajectories and support systems.