Dr. Misha Graves is a research scientist at the Indiana Resource Center for Autism. During her 15 years in the field, Dr. Graves has served in a variety of roles including school psychologist, school psychology trainer, educational consultant, and mental health practitioner. In her present capacity, Dr. Graves is helping spearhead initiatives to expand the visibility and broaden the scope of services provided by the IRCA.
Degrees
Dr. Graves holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Southern Maine, a master’s degree in Educational Psychology, and a Ph.D. in School Psychology from Indiana University, Bloomington.
Personal Statement
Dr. Graves has dedicated her career to serving marginalized populations and, in her current role, has a profound commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals with autism and their families. As both a practitioner and mother of a child with autism, she works to create safe and inclusive spaces where diverse perspectives and experiences are valued, foster an environment that promotes growth, resilience, and self-efficacy, highlight and nurture the strengths and inherent capabilities of those whom she serves, and lead with empathy, respect, and a collaborative spirit.
Research Interests
- Caregiver social supports and resiliency factors
- Effective support systems for adults with autism
- The impact of trauma and co-occurring conditions for autistic individuals
Publications
Martinez, R. S., Aricak, O. T., Graves, M. N., Peters, J., & Nellis, L. (2010). Changes in perceived social support and socioemotional adjustment across the elementary to middle school transition. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. doi: 10.1007/s 10964-010-9572-z
Graves, M. N., & Martínez, R. S. (2009). A comprehensive look at learning disabilities. In C. S. Clauss-Ehlers (Ed.), The encyclopedia of cross-cultural school psychology. Springer Publishing.
Martinez, R. S., Graves, M. N., & Heckman, D. (2008). School-university partnerships: Marshalling local resources for RTI implementation. Communiqué, 36 (6).