Our Evaluation Staff is comprised of neuropsychologists and clinical
psychologists. We use a brain-based model of assessment to produce a
comprehensive profile of an individual's cognitive, academic, and
emotional strengths and weaknesses. This profile is then used to guide
recommendations related to appropriate school placement and classroom
instruction, as well as any interventions that may be needed to support
the individual – including but not limited to further assessment (e.g.,
neurological, psychiatric, genetic, ) medication evaluation, specialized
tutoring, speech/language assessment and/or therapy, occupational evaluation
and/or therapy, psychotherapy, or social skills training. For older students
and adults, the results from testing are also used to help guide decisions
related to college selection, choosing an appropriate college major, and
determining career direction.
Professional Staff
Dr. William R. Stixrud is a licensed psychologist who has been in private practice as a neuropsychologist since 1985. He specializes in the evaluation of children, adolescents, and adults with learning disabilities, and in the promotion of self-esteem. Prior to entering private practice, Dr. Stixrud served as a staff neuropsychologist at the Children's National Medical Center and the Georgetown University Medical School. He currently is a member of the Clinical Supervisory Faculty at Children's Hospital and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the George Washington University Medical Center. Dr. Stixrud also holds an appointment on the Clinical Faculty of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical School.
Dr. Robert L. Mapou, is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist (American Board of Professional Psychology) and has been in practice since 1986. He has been with this group since 1993 and specializes in the evaluation of adolescents and adults with learning disabilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and neurological disorders, such as traumatic brain injury. He is also nationally recognized as an expert on learning disabilities and ADHD in adults, including those in post-secondary education, and has published and presented widely on the topic. In addition to doing full evaluations, Dr. Mapou can consult with clients who have already been evaluated, to help determine whether they qualify for accommodations on high-stakes testing (e.g., SAT, ACT, MCAT, LSAT, GRE, GMAT, USMLE, bar examination). He holds faculty appointments in the Department of Neurology (Psychology) at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and the Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He is on the editorial board of the journal Neuropsychology and has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.
To see a list of Dr. Mapou's Publications and Presentations on Adult Learning Disabilities and ADHD, click here
Like Dr. Stixrud, Dr. Mapou is also a musician and plays back-up guitar with a band at a local hula school, Halau Ho`omau I Ka Wai Ola O Hawai`i (see http://www.halau.org/ for more information).
Adele C. Green, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist who has been with William Stixrud & Associates since 1994. She specializes in assessing language,
attention, and executive functioning disorders and learning disabilities in children, adolescents and young adults and is equally experienced in evaluating
gifted individuals who are underachievers and/or highly anxious and distressed. She is especially interested in evaluating how language and other information
processing disorders impact on social functioning. With extensive experience in English as a Second Language, she is also interested in the assessment of
bilingual children or children who learned English as a second language and are struggling in school. Prior to earning her doctorate, Dr. Green was involved
in teaching, developing programs and providing teacher training workshops in English-as-a-second language (ESL). From 1985 through 1990, she engaged in university
teaching and research on attention, lateralization, and language processing in native English speakers and/or Spanish/English bilinguals. Following a two-year post
doctoral fellowship (1991-1993) at the Kennedy-Krieger Institute through the Department of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Medical School, Dr. Green was a staff
psychologist in the Department of Clinical Neuropsychology at the Kennedy-Krieger Institute during which time she held an adjunct faculty appointment in the
Department of Neurology. Dr. Green has co-authored book chapters and has several published articles on lateralization, attention and language processing in
native English speakers and English/Spanish bilinguals. She is the first author of an ESL textbook and co-author of a textbook in cross cultural communication.
E-mail: AG7366@aol.com
Dr. Lisa A. Martin is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been with the practice since 1996. Dr. Martin
specializes in the neuropsychological evaluation of children with learning disabilities, attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder, and other developmental and emotional concerns. She has worked extensively with
children of all ages in both evaluation and treatment capacities. Dr. Martin also has broad experience in
the assessment of emotional functioning and personality, including projective testing. Dr. Martin received
her undergraduate degree from Vassar College and her doctoral degree from Catholic University. She
completed her internship at the Baltimore V.A. Hospital, where she gained substantial experience in
psychological assessment. In addition to her neuropsychological evaluation work, Dr. Martin maintains a
private practice focused on psychotherapy with children and adolescents. She is particularly interested in
the identification and treatment of anxiety disorders.
Dr. Wendy A. Law is a licensed, clinical psychologist who specializes in the assessment of learning disabilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and neurological disorders in adults. She is particularly interested in evaluating how emotional and neurological disorders together affect cognitive functioning. In addition to her work at William Stixrud and Associates, Dr. Law is an assistant professor with the Departments of Medical and Clinical Psychology and of Psychiatry at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. She also works in a private practice conducting psychotherapy with adults who have emotional, behavioral, and cognitive difficulties, both with and without neurological disorders.
Dr. Patricia H. Papero is a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive experience in pediatric neuropsychology. Her areas of special interest include children, adolescents and young adults with neurological problems, such as epilepsy and brain injuries, and children with special developmental needs, including specific learning disorders and more pervasive developmental disorders. Dr. Papero directed the Neuropsychology Program at Children's National Medical Center for 18 years and is on the medical faculty of the George Washington University School of Medicine. Earlier, Dr. Papero directed family-oriented mental health services to children with a range of special needs and served on the Psychology Department faculties of Vanderbilt University Child Study Center and Middle Tennessee State University with specialization in child clinical and learning disability areas.
Dr. Susan W. Hammond, is a licensed clinical psychologist who has extensive experience working with children and adolescents with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and emotional and behavioral difficulties. Dr. Hammond graduated with honors from Wellesley College and received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Delaware. She joined William Stixrud and Associates in 1997, after completing a clinical internship and residency with the Washington, DC Commission for Mental Health Services. Dr. Hammond specializes in the evaluation of young children, children with emotional disabilities and gifted youngsters.
Dr. Susan S. Gerson is a licensed psychologist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other educational concerns. Dr. Gerson joined William R. Stixrud, Ph.D., and Associates in 1998, after five years of work as a school psychologist in the Prince Georges County Public Schools. In addition, she completed an internship in the Montgomery County Public school system. Dr. Gerson directed the William R. Stixrud, Ph.D. Tutoring Services for five years, and she presently is the Director of Follow-up Services at William R. Stixrud, Ph.D., and Associates. Her work in Follow-up Services includes parent consultation, support for writing IEP’s and 504 plans, attending school meetings, conducting classroom observations, and making recommendations regarding school placement.
Dr. Erika Wasserman is a licensed psychologist who specializes in assessment of learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. She also has extensive training in pediatric and behavioral psychology. She received her doctoral degree in Clinical Child Psychology from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. Internship and postdoctoral fellowship were completed at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois specializing in assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and their families. She then worked at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare conducting neuropsychological evaluations of children and adolescents before recently relocating to Maryland. While at Northwestern, she also provided grant funded violence prevention services in the public schools.
Dr. Ellen K. Goldman is a licensed psychologist with extensive experience in psychotherapy and psychological assessment. She has worked in a variety of school and clinical settings. Dr. Goldman is a graduate of Cornell University and received her Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, and subsequently joined the staff there. Her interests include learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and developmental disorders.
Dr. Taruna Ahluvalia is a pediatric neuropsychologist. Her areas of special interest include children and adolescents with high-functioning autism-spectrum disorders, including Asperger's Syndrome. She has presented research examining neuropsychological profiles in individuals with high-functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Dr. Ahluvalia also has extensive experience in neuropsychological evaluations of children and adolescents with specific learning disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, executive functioning problems, and neurological disorders such as brain injuries and epilepsy. In addition, Dr. Ahluvalia has extensive experience in the assessment of emotional functioning and personality, including projective testing. Prior to joining William R. Stixrud, Ph.D., and Associates, Dr. Ahluvalia served as a pediatric neuropsychologist at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, and at Children's National Medical Center. She currently holds an academic appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences & Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine.
Dr. Adam J. Sowa is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other developmental issues. Dr. Sowa received his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University and completed his internship and post-doctoral training in pediatric psychology at the duPont Hospital for Children, where he provided services in the ADHD and Disruptive Behavioral Disorders Clinic and the First State School, a school for children with chronic illnesses. His research interests focus on the effects of individual child development on the development of family systems.
Dr. Kimberly L. Glass is a pediatric neuropsychologist. Her areas of specialized training and interest include
neuropsychological assessment of children who have been adopted (domestic and international) and assessment of specific disorders
including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Fetal Alcohol Exposure (FAE), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning
disabilities, and language disorders. Dr. Glass has also had specialized training and experience working with children and adolescents
with acquired or neuro developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy. Additionally, Dr. Glass has experience
in emotional assessment including the use of projective testing and is particularly interested in anxiety disorders. Prior to joining
William R. Stixrud, Ph.D. and Associates, Dr. Glass completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship through the Pediatric Neuropsychology
Program at Children's National Medical Center. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Minnesota Medical School
with major focus in pediatric neuropsychology and pediatric psychology, including working with the international adoption clinic and the FAS clinic.
Dr. Glass received her doctoral degree through the school psychology program at the University of Texas in Austin. Prior to her doctoral work,
Dr. Glass completed the coursework for the Marriage and Family Therapy master's program at the University of Maryland College Park where she worked
for two years in the Family Service Center providing individual, marital, group and family therapy.
Dr. Catherine Kaminaris is a clinical psychologist with a specialization in neuropsychology. She has extensive training in pediatric and adult neuropsychological evaluation, cognitive rehabilitation therapy and psychotherapy. She received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology – Specialization in Neuropsychology from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While at Drexel University, she began researching the effects of sports-related concussions. Internship in pediatric and adult neuropsychology was completed at Long Island Jewish Medical Center specializing in neuropsychological evaluations and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults. A 2-year post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology was completed at Ling Island Jewish Medical Center – Schneider Children’s Hospital specializing in neuropsychological evaluations and treatment of children and adolescents and their families. She then worked at Behavioral and Neuropsychological Consultants, LLP in New York, New York conducting neuropsychological evaluations and providing treatment for children, adolescents, and adults before relocating to Maryland. She is also fluent in Spanish and has completed neuropsychological evaluations in Spanish for both children and adults.
Dr. Brenda Elliott is a licensed psychologist. Her areas of training include neuropsychological assessment of children with learning disabilities, ADHD, and acquired and developmental neurological disorders such as traumatic brain injury and epilepsy. Dr. Elliott earned her doctoral degree at the Uniformed Services University, where she completed a dual track program in Medical and Clinical Psychology. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Children's National Medical Center, where she gained experience in the assessment of children and adolescents with medical disorders and provided psychotherapy for children and adolescents. Dr. Elliott then completed a two-year fellowship through the Pediatric Neuropsychology program at Children's National Medical Center, where she specialized in the evaluation of children and adolescents with mild traumatic brain injury/concussion. Dr. Elliott has a particular interest in understanding how early genetic and environmental factors affect brain development. Her current focus includes neuropsychological assessment of children who have been adopted (domestic and international). Many of these evaluations are conducted in collaboration with the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E) as part of our joint Adoption Sensitive Evaluation and Support Services (A.S.E.S.S) program.
Elaine D. Book, M.Ed. received her B.A. from the University of Maryland in social work, a M.Ed. from Loyola University in special education, and
a second M.Ed. in special education from Kansas State University. Her background includes five years as a special education teacher in
Topeka, Kansas, and five years as an educational diagnostician in the Topeka school system, followed by seven years as an educational
diagnostician with Psychiatric Institute, Bethesda, MD. She has been with our practice since then, and serves a dual function as an intake
specialist and a clinical assistant.
Carol K Mannix, M.A. is a psychology associate who works primarily with children and adolescents. She received her B.S. from Radford University in psychology, and a master's degree in clinical psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology in Virginia. Prior to coming to William R. Stixrud, Ph.D., & Associates, she worked at the Northern Virginia Training Center assessing and developing behavioral treatment programs for individuals who have severe and profound mental retardation. Carol has completed the William R. Stixrud, Ph.D. Tutoring Services "Strategies That Work" Tutor Training Program, and is a certified Phono-Graphix and Read Naturally tutor. She has been with William R. Stixrud, Ph.D., & Associates since 2001 and has several roles: first, she serves as a facilitator for the psychology associates, which includes their training; second, she tests clients; and third, she maintains a tutoring practice.
Dr. David Black is a licensed clinical psychologist and pediatric neuropsychologist. He is skilled in the assessment of a wide range of childhood neurological, psychiatric, developmental, and learning disorders and is an expert is in the diagnosis and neuropsychological assessment of children with autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Black is actively doing research with children who have autism spectrum disorders and regularly publishes and presents his research at professional conferences. Dr. Black received his Ph.D. from George Mason University, and completed his internship and postdoctoral training at the University of California Los Angeles. He has worked in a variety of settings including in private practice, specialty clinics, children's hospitals and research settings. He currently works at the National Institute of Mental Health studying children with autism and related disorders.
WILLIAM STIXRUD, PH.D., & ASSOCIATES
8720 Georgia Avenue, Suite 300 - Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone 301-565-0534 | Fax 301-565-2217
Dr. William R. Stixrud is a licensed psychologist who has been in private practice as a neuropsychologist since 1985. He specializes in the evaluation of children, adolescents, and adults with learning disabilities, and in the promotion of self-esteem. Prior to entering private practice, Dr. Stixrud served as a staff neuropsychologist at the Children's National Medical Center and the Georgetown University Medical School. He currently is a member of the Clinical Supervisory Faculty at Children's Hospital and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the George Washington University Medical Center. Dr. Stixrud also holds an appointment on the Clinical Faculty of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical School.
Dr. Robert L. Mapou,
Adele C. Green, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist who has been with William Stixrud & Associates since 1994. She specializes in assessing language,
attention, and executive functioning disorders and learning disabilities in children, adolescents and young adults and is equally experienced in evaluating
gifted individuals who are underachievers and/or highly anxious and distressed. She is especially interested in evaluating how language and other information
processing disorders impact on social functioning. With extensive experience in English as a Second Language, she is also interested in the assessment of
bilingual children or children who learned English as a second language and are struggling in school. Prior to earning her doctorate, Dr. Green was involved
in teaching, developing programs and providing teacher training workshops in English-as-a-second language (ESL). From 1985 through 1990, she engaged in university
teaching and research on attention, lateralization, and language processing in native English speakers and/or Spanish/English bilinguals. Following a two-year post
doctoral fellowship (1991-1993) at the Kennedy-Krieger Institute through the Department of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Medical School, Dr. Green was a staff
psychologist in the Department of Clinical Neuropsychology at the Kennedy-Krieger Institute during which time she held an adjunct faculty appointment in the
Department of Neurology. Dr. Green has co-authored book chapters and has several published articles on lateralization, attention and language processing in
native English speakers and English/Spanish bilinguals. She is the first author of an ESL textbook and co-author of a textbook in cross cultural communication.
Dr. Lisa A. Martin is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been with the practice since 1996. Dr. Martin
specializes in the neuropsychological evaluation of children with learning disabilities, attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder, and other developmental and emotional concerns. She has worked extensively with
children of all ages in both evaluation and treatment capacities. Dr. Martin also has broad experience in
the assessment of emotional functioning and personality, including projective testing. Dr. Martin received
her undergraduate degree from Vassar College and her doctoral degree from Catholic University. She
completed her internship at the Baltimore V.A. Hospital, where she gained substantial experience in
psychological assessment. In addition to her neuropsychological evaluation work, Dr. Martin maintains a
private practice focused on psychotherapy with children and adolescents. She is particularly interested in
the identification and treatment of anxiety disorders.
Dr. Patricia H. Papero is a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive experience in pediatric neuropsychology. Her areas of special interest include children, adolescents and young adults with neurological problems, such as epilepsy and brain injuries, and children with special developmental needs, including specific learning disorders and more pervasive developmental disorders. Dr. Papero directed the Neuropsychology Program at Children's National Medical Center for 18 years and is on the medical faculty of the George Washington University School of Medicine. Earlier, Dr. Papero directed family-oriented mental health services to children with a range of special needs and served on the Psychology Department faculties of Vanderbilt University Child Study Center and Middle Tennessee State University with specialization in child clinical and learning disability areas.
Dr. Susan W. Hammond, is a licensed clinical psychologist who has extensive experience working with children and adolescents with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and emotional and behavioral difficulties. Dr. Hammond graduated with honors from Wellesley College and received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Delaware. She joined William Stixrud and Associates in 1997, after completing a clinical internship and residency with the Washington, DC Commission for Mental Health Services. Dr. Hammond specializes in the evaluation of young children, children with emotional disabilities and gifted youngsters.
Dr. Susan S. Gerson 
Dr. Erika Wasserman is a licensed psychologist who specializes in assessment of learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. She also has extensive training in pediatric and behavioral psychology. She received her doctoral degree in Clinical Child Psychology from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. Internship and postdoctoral fellowship were completed at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois specializing in assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and their families. She then worked at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare conducting neuropsychological evaluations of children and adolescents before recently relocating to Maryland. While at Northwestern, she also provided grant funded violence prevention services in the public schools.
Dr. Ellen K. Goldman is a licensed psychologist with extensive experience in psychotherapy and psychological assessment. She has worked in a variety of school and clinical settings. Dr. Goldman is a graduate of Cornell University and received her Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, and subsequently joined the staff there. Her interests include learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and developmental disorders.
Dr. Taruna Ahluvalia is a pediatric neuropsychologist. Her areas of special interest include children and adolescents with high-functioning autism-spectrum disorders, including Asperger's Syndrome. She has presented research examining neuropsychological profiles in individuals with high-functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Dr. Ahluvalia also has extensive experience in neuropsychological evaluations of children and adolescents with specific learning disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, executive functioning problems, and neurological disorders such as brain injuries and epilepsy. In addition, Dr. Ahluvalia has extensive experience in the assessment of emotional functioning and personality, including projective testing. Prior to joining William R. Stixrud, Ph.D., and Associates, Dr. Ahluvalia served as a pediatric neuropsychologist at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, and at Children's National Medical Center. She currently holds an academic appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences & Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine.
Dr. Adam J. Sowa is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other developmental issues. Dr. Sowa received his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University and completed his internship and post-doctoral training in pediatric psychology at the duPont Hospital for Children, where he provided services in the ADHD and Disruptive Behavioral Disorders Clinic and the First State School, a school for children with chronic illnesses. His research interests focus on the effects of individual child development on the development of family systems.
Dr. Kimberly L. Glass is a pediatric neuropsychologist. Her areas of specialized training and interest include
neuropsychological assessment of children who have been adopted (domestic and international) and assessment of specific disorders
including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Fetal Alcohol Exposure (FAE), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning
disabilities, and language disorders. Dr. Glass has also had specialized training and experience working with children and adolescents
with acquired or neuro developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy. Additionally, Dr. Glass has experience
in emotional assessment including the use of projective testing and is particularly interested in anxiety disorders. Prior to joining
William R. Stixrud, Ph.D. and Associates, Dr. Glass completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship through the Pediatric Neuropsychology
Program at Children's National Medical Center. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Minnesota Medical School
with major focus in pediatric neuropsychology and pediatric psychology, including working with the international adoption clinic and the FAS clinic.
Dr. Glass received her doctoral degree through the school psychology program at the University of Texas in Austin. Prior to her doctoral work,
Dr. Glass completed the coursework for the Marriage and Family Therapy master's program at the University of Maryland College Park where she worked
for two years in the Family Service Center providing individual, marital, group and family therapy.
Dr. Catherine Kaminaris is a clinical psychologist with a specialization in neuropsychology. She has extensive training in pediatric and adult neuropsychological evaluation, cognitive rehabilitation therapy and psychotherapy. She received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology – Specialization in Neuropsychology from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While at Drexel University, she began researching the effects of sports-related concussions. Internship in pediatric and adult neuropsychology was completed at Long Island Jewish Medical Center specializing in neuropsychological evaluations and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults. A 2-year post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology was completed at Ling Island Jewish Medical Center – Schneider Children’s Hospital specializing in neuropsychological evaluations and treatment of children and adolescents and their families. She then worked at Behavioral and Neuropsychological Consultants, LLP in New York, New York conducting neuropsychological evaluations and providing treatment for children, adolescents, and adults before relocating to Maryland. She is also fluent in Spanish and has completed neuropsychological evaluations in Spanish for both children and adults.