Kim, Irang

Irang Kim’s research builds on more than 10 years of professional experience supporting individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities (DDs) and their families. Her study is focused on two areas: 1) examination of disparities in underserved communities of children with autism and other DDs; and 2) development of empirically based, culturally relevant interventions for parents of young children with autism. Kim received a MSW from the University of South Carolina and a PhD from the University of Georgia. Given the lack of knowledge of ethnic minority families, her dissertation focused on caregiving experiences of Korean American immigrant parents of children with DDs. With funding from the Organization for Autism Research, she conducted a rigorous qualitative study. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship and dedicated her time to two community-based studies in Maryland. First, she coordinated a feasibility study of a peer-led program for Black families in low-income Baltimore communities raising young children with autism. Second, she led the project to better understand service need and barriers of Asian American families raising children with DDs in Maryland. She will continue to do research on services and support for individuals with autism and other DDs and their families.