The 20 Best Autism Spectrum Disorder Doctors Near Me in Washington, DC

William D. Gaillard, MD, professor of neurology and neurophysiology, is chief of the Divisions of Child Neurology and of Epilepsy and Neurophysiology. He is director of the Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program — one of the leading multidisciplinary pediatric epilepsy programs in the country. As associate director of the Children’s National Research Institute’s Center for Neuroscience Research, he is responsible for overseeing and organizing clinical neuroscience research. Dr. Gaillard is professor of pediatrics and neurology at the George Washington University School of Medicine; Professor of Neurology, Georgetown University; and Adjunct Professor of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park. Additionally, Dr. Gaillard holds longstanding collaborations with the Clinical Epilepsy Section (CES), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and NIH. His innovative research utilizes advanced structural and functional imaging to examine the effects of epilepsy on brain structure and function. His pioneering work with functional imaging has changed clinical practice for patients with epilepsy, made important technical contributions to structural and functional imaging methods, and provided fundamental scientific insights on the biology of brain plasticity. Ultimately, the goal of his research is to improve the outcomes and lives of children with epilepsy. Dr. Gaillard is a past president of the American Epilepsy Society. He is past treasurer of the American Epilepsy Society, past chair of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Commission on Diagnostics, past chair of the ILAE Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Task Force and past member of the Pediatric Commission. He is a past editor of Epilepsy Research and a past editor of Epilepsia. He is the author of more than 240 peer-reviewed scientific papers and more than 50 chapters and holds longstanding federal and foundation grant funding. Dr. Gaillard is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is also highly rated in 28 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Epilepsy, Seizures, Status Epilepticus, Liver Embolization, and Deep Brain Stimulation. Dr. Gaillard is board certified in American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2005, and American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, 1992.

Nathaniel Jones is a Pediatrics provider practicing medicine in Washington, Washington, D.c.. He has been practicing medicine for over 12 years. Dr. Jones is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. His clinical expertise encompasses Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asthma in Children, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection, and Delayed Growth. Dr. Jones is board certified in American Board Of Pediatrics, 2025 and American Board Of Pediatrics, 2021.

Tesfaye Zelleke is a Pediatric Neurologist practicing medicine in Washington, Washington, D.c.. He has been practicing medicine for over 41 years. Dr. Zelleke is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Epilepsy, Seizures, Cortical Dysplasia, and Absence Seizure. Dr. Zelleke is board certified in Clinical Neurophysiology: American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, 2011, American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, 2009, and Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2004.

Amanda Stewart, MD, (she/her) joined Children’s National Hospital as a pediatric emergency medicine physician in June 2023. She completed her pediatrics residency in the Boston Combined Residency Program’s Leadership in Equity and Advocacy track and her pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital. After training, she designed and completed an advocacy and public policy fellowship and then served as the lead physician for Clinician Advocacy in the Boston Children's Hospital Office of Government Relations where she was a liaison for clinicians interested in advocacy and provided advocacy education across the institution. Her research is focused on children and families seen in the emergency department for homelessness, screening for and addressing health-related social needs, and a variety of other policy-focused projects. She has been involved in legislative advocacy at the state and federal levels on housing instability, healthcare access for immigrant children and other policy solutions to address adverse social determinants of health for children and families. Dr. Stewart is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her clinical expertise encompasses Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection, Asthma in Children, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Perlman Syndrome. Dr. Stewart is board certified in American Board Of Pediatrics, 2019 and Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2015.

Jay Pershad is a Pediatrics provider practicing medicine in Washington, Washington, D.c.. He has been practicing medicine for over 37 years. Dr. Pershad is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. His clinical expertise encompasses Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), Asthma in Children, Scarlet Fever, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dr. Pershad is board certified in Pediatric Emergency Medicine: American Board Of Pediatrics, 1998 and Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 1993.

Sarah Wright, DO, completed her medical training at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and her residency training in child neurology at the Children's Hospital of Montefiore in Bronx, NY. She then completed additional subspecialty fellowship training in clinical neurophysiology (neuromuscular focus) at Boston Children's Hospital and Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Boston, MA. Dr. Wright evaluates and cares for children and young adults with both hereditary and acquired nerve and muscle disorders, including spinal muscular atrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Charcot Marie Tooth hereditary neuropathy, myasthenia gravis, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Dr. Wright's research interests include pediatric myasthenia gravis and discovering novel therapeutic approaches for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Publications ORCiD. Dr. Wright is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her clinical expertise encompasses Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1, Seizures, Dysferlinopathy, and Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+). Dr. Wright is board certified in American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, 2023 and American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, 2021.

Michael Quinn is a Pediatrics provider practicing medicine in Washington, Washington, D.c.. He has been practicing medicine for over 41 years. Dr. Quinn is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is also highly rated in 2 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Congenital Athymia, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection, Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+), and Asthma in Children. Dr. Quinn is board certified in Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 1992 and Pediatric Emergency Medicine: American Board Of Pediatrics, 1992.

Gisella Valderrama, MD, MEd, is an attending physician in the Division of Emergency Medicine and is a recognized improvement leader. She gained over five years of clinical experience as an Emergency Department clinical associate at Children’s National Hospital. Subsequently, she completed her Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. During her fellowship, she also earned a master’s degree in medical education from the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Valderrama participated in the esteemed Quality Scholars Program at the James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, focusing on patient safety, healthcare delivery and healthcare policy. This program provides strong methodological training in health research and quality improvement methods and exposure to a wide range of high-impact areas of study, including healthcare innovation. As an educator, Dr. Valderrama developed a curriculum on quality improvement science for the Latin American Pediatric Emergency Society. This project was successfully implemented across five regional countries, demonstrating the scale of her impact. She has launched a new initiative involving five hospitals in Spain, further showcasing her ambition and commitment to improving healthcare systems. Dr. Valderrama is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her clinical expertise encompasses Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+), Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, Cerebral Hypoxia, and Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS). Dr. Valderrama is board certified in Pediatric Emergency Medicine: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2025 and Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2017.

Rosemary Thomas-Mohtat, MD, completed her pediatric residency at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. She completed the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship at Children's National Hospital, with an additional year of fellowship dedicated to point-of-care ultrasound. Her interests are in using ultrasound at the bedside in the Emergency Department to facilitate patient care, and to teach others to do the same. Dr. Thomas is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is also highly rated in 1 other condition, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Intussusception in Children, Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+), Asthma in Children, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dr. Thomas is board certified in Pediatric Emergency Medicine: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2017 and Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2006.

Haroon Shaukat is a Pediatrics provider practicing medicine in Washington, Washington, D.c.. He has been practicing medicine for over 13 years. Dr. Shaukat is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. His clinical expertise encompasses Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+), Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), Asthma in Children, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Gallbladder Removal. Dr. Shaukat is board certified in American Board Of Pediatrics, 2021 and American Board Of Pediatrics, 2017.

Sarah Isbey, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and associate director of Emergency Department Safety at Children's National Hospital. Dr. Isbey provides services in the Division of Emergency Medicine and Trauma Services. Dr. Isbey is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her clinical expertise encompasses Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+), and Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Dr. Isbey is board certified in Pediatric Emergency Medicine: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2021 and Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2017.

Camilo Gutiérrez, MD, FACEP, FAAE, is an internationally recognized pediatric emergency physician, with a broad range of experience as a clinician, educator and expert in international pediatric emergency care. Dr. Gutiérrez was recently recruited as Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He also leads the global health initiatives of the Emergency Medicine Division at Children’s National Hospital. He continues his clinical work as faculty in the pediatric Emergency Department. Dr. Gutiérrez is a key opinion leader at the advisory level in the development of acute care systems at the local, country and regional level in multiple areas around the world. His emphasis is on development and strengthening of pediatric emergency care systems and training programs. He is a recognized speaker both locally and in a couple dozen countries where he has presented over 100 lectures in the last eight years and has authored over 30 publications. During his 10 years tenure in Boston, Dr. Gutiérrez was faculty at Boston University School of Medicine - Boston Medical Center in the Pediatric Emergency Division, education director for the clinical rotation of the Harvard and BU Boston Combined Residency Program in pediatrics, liaison to the Trauma and Boston EMS programs and Pediatric Incident Commander. He was recognized by the Department of Public Health Commissioner for his tenure as chair and medical director of the Emergency Medicine for Children’s Advisory Committee for Massachusetts. He was also recognized by the Massachusetts Chapter of ACEP for his efforts to augment the care for children at the state level as co-chair of the MACEP Pediatric EM Section. At the national level, Dr. Gutiérrez is the appointed secretary of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) International EM Section and active in the Ambassador Committee. He has also occupied leadership roles on the board of the Global Emergency Medicine Academy (GEMA) of the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM), and through the American Academy of Emergency Medicine's (AAEM) International Committee, he has been involved in collaborating with scientific committees planning and leading Pediatric EM topics and speakers in several international conferences. At the international level, Dr. Gutiérrez is the current Chair of the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Special Interest Group (PEMSIG) of the International Federation of Emergency Medicine (IFEM), and a member of the Clinical Practice and Education and Curriculum Committees. He is a founding and board member of the first Latin American Pediatric EM Society (SLEPE). Dr. Gutiérrez's interests include: education with emphasis on international and global healthcare arenas; development of pediatric acute care systems; pediatric trauma and critical care in the ED; ultrasound, shock, difficult airway management; and procedural sedation. Dr. Gutierrez is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. His clinical expertise encompasses Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+), Asthma in Children, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dr. Gutierrez is board certified in Pediatric Emergency Medicine: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2013 and Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2005.

Cathy Scheiner is a Pediatrics provider practicing medicine in Washington, Washington, D.c.. She has been practicing medicine for over 36 years. Dr. Scheiner is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is also highly rated in 1 other condition, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Autism Spectrum Disorder, Microcephaly, and Increased Head Circumference. Dr. Scheiner is board certified in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2011 and Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 1995.

Nicol Bacon is a Pediatrics provider practicing medicine in Washington, Washington, D.c.. She has been practicing medicine for over 14 years. Dr. Bacon is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is also highly rated in 1 other condition, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Autism Spectrum Disorder, Delayed Growth, and Developmental Dysphasia Familial. Dr. Bacon is board certified in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2019 and Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2015.

Sinan Turnacioglu, MD, is a neurodevelopmental pediatrician and chief of the Division of Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics and Neurogenetics at Children’s National Hospital. He is also an assistant professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He has been in practice for more than 20 years, beginning his career in general pediatrics before completing fellowship training in neurodevelopmental disabilities at Children’s National. Dr. Turnacioglu cares for children and adolescents across general developmental pediatrics and multiple specialty neurogenetics clinics. He has particular expertise in autism spectrum disorder, Fragile X syndrome, Smith‑Magenis syndrome, Rett syndrome, neurofibromatosis, and other rare genetic and neurodevelopmental conditions, reflecting his leadership roles in the Fragile X Clinic, Rett Syndrome Clinic and Neurofibromatosis Program at Children’s National. Dr. Turnacioglu’s clinical and academic work focuses on neurogenetics, family‑centered developmental care and improving access to high‑quality diagnostic and therapeutic services for neurodivergent children. He founded the DC Autism Clinic for the Underserved and has contributed to national efforts to expand access to genomic testing and evidence‑based neurodevelopmental care. He also serves as program director for the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Fellowship at Children’s National and is active in medical education, mentorship and national curriculum development. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Turnacioglu has led and contributed to multiple research studies and clinical trials involving autism, Fragile X syndrome, Rett syndrome and virtual‑reality–based interventions. He has served as a co‑investigator on federally-funded research and holds several U.S. patents related to therapeutic and diagnostic uses of virtual reality for autism spectrum disorder. His work with Floreo, Inc., where he was chief medical officer from 2017–2023, helped advance innovative digital tools to support social communication and safety skills for autistic individuals. He has authored peer‑reviewed publications and book chapters on neurodevelopmental disabilities, metabolic disorders, autism intervention research and conceptual frameworks in pediatric neurology. Dr. Turnacioglu is board‑certified in child neurology and in neurodevelopmental disabilities and remains active in national professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Neurology, the Child Neurology Society, the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and the Neurofibromatosis Clinical Research Consortium. He grew up in New Jersey and lives in Bethesda, MD, with his family. Outside of work, he enjoys running, reading and tabletop games. Publications ORCID. Dr. Turnacioglu is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is also highly rated in 1 other condition, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Autism Spectrum Disorder, Neurofibromatosis, Rasmussen Encephalitis, and Legius Syndrome. Dr. Turnacioglu is board certified in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2015, American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, 2013, and Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2003.

Benedetto Vitiello is a Psychiatrist practicing medicine in Washington, Washington, D.c.. Dr. Vitiello is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Anorexia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder (BPD).

Ayman Saleh, MD, is of Egyptian heritage and attended medical school at Marmara University School of Medicine in Istanbul, Turkey. He completed a psychiatry residency at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and completed a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Yale Child Study Center. He is particularly interested in developmental neuropsychopathology and the impact of early adverse life experiences on brain development – risk and resilience factors. Dr. Saleh is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. His clinical expertise encompasses Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Selective Mutism. Dr. Saleh is board certified in Child And Adolescent Psychiatry: American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, 2018 and Psychiatry: American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, 2017.

Amy Lewanda, MD, joined Children's National Hospital as a faculty member in 1994 after finishing her medical genetics training at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the same year. She has served as a faculty member in medical genetics in the Inova health system. Dr. Lewanda is the co-director of the Down Syndrome Clinic. Dr. Lewanda’s research focuses on health outcomes for patients with Down Syndrome, and pediatric to adult transitions for genetics patients. Dr. Lewanda is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is also highly rated in 1 other condition, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Increased Head Circumference, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cantu Syndrome, and Hemi 3 Syndrome. Dr. Lewanda is board certified in Clinical Genetics (MD): American Board Of Medical Genetics And Genomics, 2020, Clinical Genetics (MD): American Board Of Medical Genetics And Genomics, 1993, and Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 1991.

Marc DiFazio, MD, is the vice president of Access at Children’s National Hospital and is certified in adult and pediatric neurology. He completed his pediatric and neurology training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and went on to become the chief of the Child Neurology Service at Walter Reed, where he served on active duty until 2005 before transitioning to private practice in Rockville, MD. Dr. DiFazio is well-known in the metropolitan area and pediatric community for his service, leadership and expertise in clinical child neurology, with interests and concentration in the areas of Tourette syndrome, headache/migraine, concussion, behavioral neurology/autism and the use of botulinum toxin in a variety of conditions. In his role as vice president of Access, Dr. DiFazio works to facilitate patient access to care and supporting operational excellence. Dr. DiFazio has served 28 years in the Army Medical Corps, and he recently finished his service obligation in his final assignment as Command Surgeon of USAR Legal Command. Dr. Difazio is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Benign Rolandic Epilepsy, Tourette Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Landau-Kleffner Syndrome. Dr. Difazio is board certified in Epilepsy: American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, 2018, Neurology With Special Qualification In Child Neurology: American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, 2001, and Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 1994.

Adelaide Robb, MD, is a psychopharmacologist with ongoing research studies in depression and mood disorders, anxiety and attention deficit disorder. She is Chief of the Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Robb, who trained at Johns Hopkins University and the National Institutes of Health, has been on the medical staff in the Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine since 1996, rising to the rank of professor (with tenure), as well as a distinguished professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. She is an internationally known clinical researcher and has participated in and led multiple therapeutic trials for children with a variety of behavioral and psychiatric conditions. Patients interested in participating in research studies are seen at Children's National Hospital on Michigan Avenue in Northwest Washington, D.C. Patients who want a second opinion in psychopharmacologic management can be seen at the Fairfax office. For more information about Psychopharmacology trials at Children’s National, please visit the Psychiatry Clinical Trials page or contact Dr. Robb’s team at 202-476-6067. Dr. Robb is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her clinical expertise encompasses Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Bipolar Disorder (BPD), and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Dr. Robb is board certified in Child And Adolescent Psychiatry: American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, 1996 and Psychiatry: American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, 1993.