Georgia Autism Center | Autism Specialist | Pediatric Psychology

Brandi D. Smith, Psy.D. is a Georgia licensed psychologist who enjoys working with children, adolescents, and families. Dr. Smith specializes in clinical child psychology and the evidence-based assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders. She has experience evaluating for autism in children 12 months of age through adulthood and is clinically trained to administer the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Second Edition (ADOS-2). Her assessment experience also has included training and work in a range of settings including hospitals, universities, specialized treatment and evaluation centers, community mental health centers, and private practice. While her primary interest is in the assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders, she also has conducted assessments for a variety of medical, behavioral, emotional, and psychiatric concerns.   

Dr. Smith earned her Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology and Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology through the Georgia School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Atlanta. She completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Georgia Pediatric Psychology, where she focused on the assessment of individuals with ASD and also evaluated children with learning disabilities, genetic conditions, trauma histories, and other pediatric/psychiatric issues. Prior to her position as a postdoc, Dr. Smith completed an American Psychological Association accredited internship in clinical pediatric psychology with the May Institute in Massachusetts. In addition to training in the assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders, Dr. Smith also provided a number of therapy services including individual therapy, parent training, and social skills groups for children, adolescents, and adults struggling with a range of emotional, behavioral, and social concerns. She also became proficient in the assessment and treatment of infants, children, and adolescents with feeding and growth/nutrition difficulties.

Dr. Smith’s interest in assessment with children emerged while she was an undergraduate student earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Georgia State University. There, she received her initial introduction to assessing for autism and contributed to research validating the utility of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers-Revised (M-CHAT-R) for early developmental screening at children’s well visit pediatrician visits. As she went on to become a graduate student, she continued training in the assessment of pediatric neurodevelopmental  disorders at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and evaluated children with genetic conditions, epilepsy, cancer, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, spina bifida, and congenital heart conditions. She also evaluated children exposed to substances neonatally as part of a research study investigating the effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome at Emory University. In addition to assessment experience during her graduate program, Dr. Smith was trained in the evidence-based treatment of ASD symptoms through providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy at the Marcus Autism Center and through leading social skills groups at a private practice.

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Dr. Smith is a member of the Georgia Psychological Association and Society of Pediatric Psychology within the American Psychological Association.