NAME: Vanessa J. Pressimone

E-MAIL: vjp308@lehigh.edu

UNDERGRAD DEGREE(S):
B.A.: Neuroscience & Behavior; Italian, Vassar College

RESEARCH INTERESTS: Partnership and systems-based approaches to early childhood health promotion and early language development; early intervention and prevention services for culturally and linguistically diverse families and young children.

2010-2011 PLACEMENTS:

Allentown School District
Muhlenberg Elementary School, Lincoln Early Childhood Center, and others
Lehigh Valley Hospital—Muhlenberg, Bethlehem, PA
Pediatric Pulmonary

WHY INTERESTED IN THE PROJECT: One of the guiding approaches of my work is to employ a collaborative, cross-disciplinary team perspective when working with and for families with young children. School psychologists typically may interact with teachers, other school personnel, and primary caregivers. As a pediatric school psychologist, however, I foresee additionally being able to interface with other key figures in children's lives such as their primary healthcare providers. Thus, my interest in specializing in pediatric school psychology centers on a systems-level and ecologically-based approach to working with and for children and their families. Culturally and linguistically diverse families with young children may face additional academic and health challenges. I believe that training in pediatric school psychology has the potential to aid in the development of skills such as consultation, partnership, and intervention/prevention program design. As a family advocate and pediatric school psychologist, I would be better placed to serve as a link across domains and as a facilitator of transition across systems.