Eileen T. Crehan, PhD

Assistant Professor, Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study & Human Development
Assistant Professor, Tisch College
Tufts University

Session 3C - What's Love Got to Do With It? Sexuality Through a Neurodiversity-Affirming Lens

Dr. Crehan is a licensed clinical psychologist interested in improving the accessibility of care for and with neurodivergent individuals. Her research group at Tufts University studies autism and other aspects of neurodiversity in adolescence and adulthood and how to disseminate this information to providers, educators, and the public. Romantic relationships and social connection are a central focus of Dr. Crehan’s work. Using a neurodiversity-affirming lens and participatory research methods, Dr. Crehan’s group creates programs about dating, relationships, safety, and mental health for self-advocates, family members, and care providers, and measures the short- and long-term outcomes of these programs. Clinically, Dr. Crehan works with parent groups, organizations, and schools to develop supports for sexuality and relationship education for students with developmental disabilities. She also works individually with neurodivergent teens and adults for assessments and therapy.