Deb Keen

Professor Deb Keen has worked with individuals who have developmental disorders including autism and their families for over 25 years as a psychologist, educator, administrator and researcher. Deb’s research interests in autism include assessment and interventions related to communication and problem behaviour, engagement, family-centred practice and parent/professional partnerships. Outcomes from one of Deb's research projects, an intervention program delivered within 6 months of a diagnosis, showed that the intervention significantly reduced parenting stress and increased parenting competence.

As part of this program of research, an innovative tool that uses multimedia technology to educate parents about parenting their young children with autism was developed. This DVD (Being Responsive: You and Your Child with Autism) has attracted wide recognition from families, educators, therapists, and government agencies nationally and internationally. Deb has published widely in peer reviewed journals, edited and authored books, and held a number of large research grants. A recently completed Australian Research Council grant examined engagement in young children with autism. Deb is on the editorial board of numerous journals, including Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. She has regularly presented her research at national and international conferences.