Profile

Dr. Rodriguez’s program of research has focused on identifying system-level factors within environmental contexts (e.g., home and school) that may increase the risk of mental health problems in at-risk samples, including children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and marginalized children and families from underrepresented backgrounds. She has utilized longitudinal research designs to examine familial processes (e.g., stress, marital relationships, parenting), as well as specific school experiences (e.g., bullying victimization), that may contribute to mental health problems in youth with disabilities, specifically during the transition from childhood to adolescence. She is interested in expanding this work to improve the accessibility and delivery of school-based mental health services and supports for youth with disabilities, with the aim of developing targeted approaches to evidence-based interventions for underserved populations. Additional interests include family-school partnerships, teacher training and education, child risk factors and school predictors of bullying victimization, and mental health services and supports for Latinx children and families.