Contact
- Email: curtiss@udel.edu
- Office: 015A Willard Hall
- Phone: 302-831-8951
- Fax: 302-831-4110
Curriculum Vitae
View CVLab Website
Autism in Context LabSarah Curtiss
Assistant Professor
Dr. Sarah Curtiss is an assistant professor specializing in special education in the School of Education. She completed her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Curtiss explores how to develop programs for autistic youth that foster resilience, facilitate positive development, and are grounded in lived experience. Throughout her research, Dr. Curtiss situates autistic youth in context—in families, communities, schools, service systems, and cultures. Her research is applied and informed by stakeholders. This has led to projects on human sexuality education, social skills, family mealtimes, and the transition to adulthood. Prior to earning her Ph.D., Dr. Curtiss managed a day program for adults with developmental disabilities.
Educational Background
- Ph.D., Human Development and Family Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL, 2017
- M.S., Human and Community Development, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL, 2013
- B.S., Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL, 2004
Professional Experience
- Assistant Professor, School of Education, University of Delaware, 2019–present
- MSU-DOCTRID Hegarty Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, and Trinity College, Dublin, IRL, 2017–2019
- Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant, Human Development and Family Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL, 2011–2017
- Vocational Day Program Manager, Developmental Services Center, Champaign, IL, 2004–2010
Recent Grants
- Firpo-Triplett, R. (PI), Curtiss, S. (Expert Advisor). SkillTalk: Communication training around sexual health topics for parents of youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development SBIR, 2018. ($224,957)
- Ebata, A. (PI), Curtiss, S. (co-PI). The birds and the bees: Building capacity to deliver sex education to individuals with autism. The Autism Program of Illinois, Springfield, Illinois, 2013. ($1,000)