Thomas L. Whitman
Professor
Ph.D., University of Illinois
Profile
Dr. Whitman’s research is focused in the areas of early development and intervention.
He has a special interest in studying the factors that are associated with resilient behaviors in populations at risk for developmental problems. He has been involved in two longitudinal studies, one evaluating the stress and coping in mothers of children with autism and the other examining parental and social factors that influence the development of children of adolescent parents.
Additionally, past research has focused on the development and evaluation of procedures for training parents, teachers, and institutional staff to become more effective educators of children. He recently completed a book on autism. Currently, he and his students are helping families of children with autism to implement early intervention programs.
Professor Whitman teaches courses in developmental psychology, behavior therapy, applied behavior analysis, autism, developmental disabilities, psychology and medicine, and human resiliency.
Selected Papers and Books
Ekas, N. V., and Whitman, T. L., & Shivers, C. (2009). Religiosity, spirituality and socioemotional functioning in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39, 706-719.
Ekas, N. and Whitman, T. (in press). Autism symptom topography and maternal socioemotional functioning. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Ekas, N., Lickenbrock, D. & Whitman, T. (under review). Optimism, social support and well-being in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Whitman, T. L. & Ekas, N. (2008). Theory and research on autism: Do we need a new approach to thinking about and studying this disorder? In L. Glidden (Ed.). International review of research in mental retardation. (Vol. 35, pp. 1-41). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Whitman, T. L. (2004). Autism and its development: A self-regulatory perspective. London: Jessica Kingsley.
Whitman, T., Borkowski, J. G., Keogh, D., and Weed, K. (2001). Interwoven Lives: Adolescent Mothers and Their Children. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Whitman, T., Merluzzi, T. V., and White, R. D. (Eds.) (1999). Life-span perspectives on health and illness. Mahwah, N.J.: Erlbaum.
Weaver, C. M., Borkowski, J. G., & Whitman, T. L. (2008). Violence begets violence: Childhood exposure and adolescent conduct problems. Journal of Community Psychology, 36, 1-17.
Smith, L., Borkowski, J. & Whitman, T. (2007). From reading readiness to reading competence: The role of self-regulation in at-risk children. Scientific Studies of Reading, 12, 131-152.
Howard, K. S., Lefever, J. B., Borkowski, J. G., & Whitman, T. L. (2006). Fathers’ influence in the lives of children with adolescent mothers. Journal of Family Psychology. 20, 468-476.
Miceli, P., Goeke-Morey, M., & Whitman, T., (2000). Vulnerability and resiliency in preterm infants: The impact of perinatal status and social context on development. Pediatric Psychology, 25, 353-358.
Miceli, P., Whitman, T., Borkowski, J. G., Rieker, J., & Mitchell, W. (1998). Individual differences in infant information processing: The role of temperament and maternal factors. Infant Behavior and Development, 21, 119-136.
Mylod, D., Whitman, T. L., Borkowski, J. G. (1997). The development of adolescent mothers: Outcomes and their antecedents. Journal of Research in Adolescence, 7, 457-478.
Miller, C. L., Heysek, P. J., Whitman, T. L., and Borkowski, J. G. (1996). Cognitive readiness to parent and intellectual-emotional development in children of adolescent parents. Developmental Psychology, 32, 533-541.
Miller, C., Whitman, T. L., White, R., O'Callaghan, M., & Maxwell, S. (1995). The effects of cycled versus noncycled lighting on growth and development in preterm infants. Infant Behavior and Development, 18, 87-95.
Sommer, K. A., Whitman, T. L., Borkowski, J. G., Maxwell, S. E. & Keogh D. (1993). Cognitive readiness and adolescent parenting. Developmental Psychology, 29, 389-398.
View Curriculum Vitae (PDF)
Contact Information
Office: 113 Haggar Hall
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
Phone: (574) 631-5962
Email: twhitman@nd.edu