Darryn M. Sikora, Ph. D

1983, B.A.(magna cum laude), Psychology, University of California, Irvine
1986, M.A., Child Clinical Psychology, West Virginia University
1989, Ph.D., Child Clinical Psychology, West Virginia University
1988-89, Predoctoral Internship, Child Clinical/Developmental Disabilities, OHSU
1989-90, Postdoctoral Residency, Medical Psychology, OHSU

Clinical and Academic Interests:

Dr. Sikora received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 1989 from West Virginia University and completed a postdoctoral residency in medical psychology at OHSU, 1989-90. She has been a member of the OHSU faculty since 1990.

Dr. Sikora is regionally recognized for her expertise in treating children with developmental and behavioral disabilities and chronic medical conditions; she is considered one of the Pacific Northwest's experts in the area of autism spectrum disorders. She provides psychological evaluations of children and adolescents at the OHSU Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC), focusing on assessment and diagnosis of developmental , behavioral and emotional disorders. In addition, she participates in a number of medical subspecialty clinics including metabolics, genetics, spinal bifida, cranial facial disorders and the cochlear implant service.

Dr. Sikora also provides supervision and training for psychology interns, residents, and medical students and was instrumental in the evolution of the American Psychological Association (APA) accredited training program at CDRC for pre-doctoral psychology interns and postdoctoral psychology residents. Her scholarly interests have focused on studying the relationships between childhood chronic medical conditions and developmental and behavioral outcomes. She has studied the behavioral correlates of several different metabolic disorders and is currently involved in research on cholesterol synthesis in children with autism.

Memberships:
American Psychological Association
Association for Behavioral Analysis Autism Society of America
Society for Research in Child Development

Recent publications

Hartley, S.L., Buckendorf, G.R., Haines, K., Hall, T., & Sikora, D. (2008). The Oral and Written Language Scales: Is it useful for older children with autism spectrum disorder? Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2(1), 137-146.

Sikora, D.S., Hartley, S.L., McCoy, R., Gerrard-Morris, A., & Dill, K. (2008). Performance of individuals with mental health disorders on the ADOS-G: A question of diagnostic utility. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2(1), 188-197.

Sikora, D.S., Hall, T.A., Hartely, S.L., Gerrard-Morris, A., & Cagle, S. (2008). Does Parent Report of Behavior Differ Across ADOS-G Classifications: Analysis of Scores from the CBCL and GARS. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 440-448.

Hartley, S.L., McCoy, R., & Sikora, D.M. (2008). Prevalence and Risk Factors of Maladaptive Behavior in Young Children with Autistic Disorder. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities Research, 52(10), 819-829.

Hartley, S.L. & Sikora, D.M. (2009). Which DSM-IV TR Criteria Best Differentiate High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder from ADHD and Anxiety Disorders in Older Children? Autism: International Journal of Research and Practice. 13(5): 485-509.

Hartley, S.L. & Sikora, D.M. (2009). Sex Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Examination of Developmental Functioning, Autistic Symptoms, and Coexisting Behavior Problems in Toddlers. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 39 (12): 1715-1722.

Hartley, S.L., & Sikora, D.S. (2010). Detecting autism spectrum disorder in children with intellectual disability: Which DSM-IV TR criteria are most useful. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 25(2), 85-97.

Kuhlthau K., Orlich F., Hall T.A., Sikora D., Kovacs E.A., Delahaye J., Clemons T.E. (2010). Health Related Quality of Life in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Results from the Autism Treatment Network. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders,40(6): 721-9.

Darryn M. Sikora, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Division of Psychology, Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics,
Child Development and Rehabilitation Center

For more information about the Autism Program, please go to: http://www.ohsu.edu/cdrc/clinical/portland/autism.html