lillianthompson2026@u.northwestern.edu
Lillian is a licensed speech-language pathologist and PhD candidate in the Early Intervention Research Group. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) from the University of Central Florida and she received her master’s degree in CSD at Howard University. Lillian then worked as an SLP in various settings including school systems, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. Driven by personal experiences as the younger sibling of an autistic brother, Lillian has devoted her time to volunteering and holding leadership positions in local and regional autism advocacy boards. Additionally, she has co-created autism sibling support programs in Florida and Maryland. As a doctoral student, Lillian’s research aims to investigate the influence of culture and systemic factors on developmental diagnostic experiences. Specifically, she intends to amplify the perspectives of Black caregivers of autistic toddlers and contribute to the development and implementation of culturally responsive strategies in early autism assessment. In her free time, Lillian enjoys spending time with her family and exploring the world, creating memories one adventure at a time!
Favorite children’s book: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Favorite childhood toy: Easy-Bake Oven
Favorite childhood snack: Dunkaroos
Pronouns: she/her