Dr. Neal provides leadership for interdisciplinary training, research, and systems-level initiatives that support individuals with neurodevelopmental and behavioral health needs across the lifespan. Her work integrates applied behavior analysis, brain-behavior science, and implementation frameworks to strengthen practices across clinical, educational, and community settings. Through the continued advancement of the HANDS in Autism® training curriculum, framework, and overall approach, she supports the delivery of individualized, evidence-based practices within coordinated, cross-system models. She collaborates with state agencies, schools, healthcare systems, and community partners to improve access, alignment, and sustainable implementation of supports across diagnoses and settings.
Degrees
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biology (with honors), Indiana University-Indianapolis
- Graduate Certificate of Applied Behavior Analysis, Ball State University
- Specialist in Education in School Psychology (NASP Accredited), Ball State University
- Master of Arts of School Psychology (NASP Accredited), Ball State University
- Doctor of Philosophy in School Psychology (APA Accredited), Ball State University
Personal Statement
Dr. Neal is committed to advancing integrated systems that support individuals and those who support them. Her work emphasizes bridging research and practice through structured implementation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and approaches that prioritize individualization, coordination across settings, and capacity-building at scale. She is particularly focused on ensuring training models translate into meaningful practice by integrating evidence-based strategies, data-informed decision-making, and an understanding of regulation, context, and lived experience within everyday environments.
Research Interests
Clinical neuropsychology; school psychology; applied behavior analysis; neurodevelopmental and behavioral health needs across diagnoses, including autism and dual diagnoses; brain–behavior relationships, including regulation, executive functioning, and sensory–motor processes; implementation science and the translation of evidence-based practices into applied settings; interdisciplinary and cross-system collaboration across education, healthcare, and community contexts; program development, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement; evidence-based training, coaching, and consultation models; design and scaling of comprehensive training frameworks, including the HANDS in Autism approach; data-informed decision-making and individualized intervention design; workforce development and capacity-building across service systems.
Awards and Honors
- Access and Inclusion Award (HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center)
- Indianapolis Mayor’s Advisory Council on Disability