Bruce F. PenningtonProfessor Emeritus

I am interested in understanding atypical development. What causes it? How do these causes change brain development? How do these changes in brain development alter the development of psychological functions? Which altered psychological functions underlie the patterns of abnormal behaviors that distinguish different developmental disorders? What does atypical development tell us about normal development?
Our clinical experience with all of these disorders has helped focus our research, and our research results have led to improvements in their diagnosis and treatment. My research and clinical work informs the courses I regularly teach on cognitive assessment, developmental psychopathology, and developmental neuropsychology.