Alana Telesford
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry
Pediatric Psychologist, Martha Escoll Lubeck Feeding and Swallowing Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Department: Psychiatry
Contact information
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
3401 Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104
3401 Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Education:
B.S. (Psychology)
Fordham University, 2013.
M.Ed. (Human Development)
Lehigh University, 2016.
Ph.D. (School Psychology)
Lehigh University, 2020.
B.S. (Psychology)
Fordham University, 2013.
M.Ed. (Human Development)
Lehigh University, 2016.
Ph.D. (School Psychology)
Lehigh University, 2020.
Post-Graduate Training
Predoctoral Internship in Health Service Psychology, Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware, 2019-2020.
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Nemours Children's Hospital, Nemours Swank Autism Center, Delaware, 2020-2021.
Permanent linkPredoctoral Internship in Health Service Psychology, Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware, 2019-2020.
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Nemours Children's Hospital, Nemours Swank Autism Center, Delaware, 2020-2021.
Description of Clinical Expertise
autism spectrum disorders, pediatric feeding disorders, diagnostic evaluation, behavioral intervention, parent management trainingDescription of Research Expertise
autism spectrum disorders, food selectivity, single case design, peer-mediated interventionSelected Publications
Emily S. Kuschner, Ariana Garagozzo1, Alana Telesford, Lauren Young, Alison Marx, Kathleen Rein, Colleen Lukens: The BUFFET-Snack Program: Development and Initial Pilot Test of a Brief Treatment for Food Selectivity in Autistic Youth. A poster presentation at the International Society for Autism Research Annual Meeting, Prague, Czech Republic 2026.Writer: Faith Wilkins; Clinical Expert: Alana E. Telesford, PhD: Why Do Black Children With Autism Get Diagnosed Late? Child Mind Institute November 2023.
Cole, C.L., Telesford, A.: Autism. Health-Related Disorders in Children and Adolescents: A Guidebook for Educators and Service Providers, Second Edition. Perfect, M., Riccio, C., Bray, M. (eds.). Page: 127–136, August 2023 Notes: https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0000349-015.
Child Mind Institute: What Should an Evaluation for Autism Look Like? YouTube January 2023 Notes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QJVTXDiUNU.
Black Health Now: #BlackHealthNow: Celebrating & Amplifying Black Health Creators on Social Media. YouTube October 2022 Notes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVjG39nybyo.
BlackHealthNow: Celebrating & Amplifying Black Health Creators on Social Media YouTube October 2022.
Alana Telesford, PhD Shannon Santoro, MS Cynthia Martin, PsyD: Evaluating and treating restrictive eating in children with autism. Autism Spectrum News July 2022.
Cole CL, Bambara LM, Telesford AE, Bauer K, Bilgili-Karabacak I, Chovanes J, Thomas A, Weir A.: Using a Brief Intervention to Improve Partner-Focused Conversation in Adolescents with Autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 53: 2203-2218, March 2022.
Bambara LM, Cole CL, Telesford A, Bauer K, Bilgili-Karabacak I, Weir A, Thomas A.: Using Peer Supports to Encourage Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder to Show Interest in Their Conversation Partners. J Speech Lang Hear Res 64: 4845-4860, Dec 2021.
Telesford, A., Beachum, F.D.: What school leaders can do to provide quality education for young children with autism. Educating Young Children With and Without Exceptionalities: New Perspectives. Obiakor, F.A., Banks, T., Graves, J., Rotatori, A. (eds.). Information Age Publishing INC. Page: 61-78, February 2019.