Dennis C. Harper, PhD, ABPP
Research Profile

1. Psychological impact of physical impairment and chronic disease in children and adolescents
2. Psychosomatic illness in children
3. Intellectual decline in aging mentally retarded persons
4. Psychiatric problems in aging persons with mental retardation
5. Cross-cultural impact of mental retardation and physical disabilities in children

Affiliations:

• Department of Pediatrics
• Department of Teaching and Learning, College of Education
• Department of Health Management, College of Public Health

Model System:
The focus of my research is on children with chronic health and physical disabilities, peer attitude studies, and adults with significant mental retardation during the aging process, with a particular interest in psychiatric syndromes/ dementia in the elderly with mental retardation. My colleagues and I have studied mood disorders and grief reactions in adults with moderate mental retardation and communication limitations. The attitude studies are cross-cultural and focus on children responding to their peers with visible differences and resultant impact on social interaction and self-esteem. These studies have been conducted worldwide.

Awards:

• 2006, Regents Faculty Excellence Award, Board of Regents-State of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine
• 2006-2011, Fulbright Specialist Roster, CIES
• 2005, Lee Salk Distinguished Service Award, Division of Pediatric Psychology, Outstanding Leadership nationally and internationally in psychology
• 2003-2010, Executive Committee Carver College of Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
• 2001, Dortmunder-Gambrinus Fellowship, University of Dortmund, Lecturship
• 2001, Michael J. Ellis Distinguished Lecture on Science and Disability,, University of Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Lecturship
• 1998-2001, Fogarty Health Researcher, Institute for Public Health, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, USAID, University of Iowa, Developmental neurotoxicity

Recent Publications:

1. Wadsworth, J., McBrien, D., and Harper, D.C. (2003). Vocational guidance and employment of persons with diagnoses of Prader-Willi syndrome. Journal of Rehabilitation. Vol. 69, 1, 15-21.
2. Cocco, K. and Harper, D.C. (2003). Addressing issues related to substance use and misuse in people with mental retardation. Counselor, The Magazine for Addiction Professionals. Vol 4.27-32.
3. Harper, D.C. (2003). Research perspectives: scientific initiatives and consumer goals. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. Supp. No. 94,45. pp 11-13.
4. Wadsworth, J. and Harper, D.C. (2003). The identification of Psychotic and Affective Symptoms in Adults with Prader-Willi. Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disability, 6, 125-129.
5. Gross, J., Clay, D., Harper, D.C., Stockman, A., Van Voorhis, B., and Syrop, C. (2004). Counseling and disclosure in assisted reproductive technology clinics in the U.S. Children's Health Care.33 (2), 123-131.
6. Upton, T.D. and Harper, D.C., Wadsworth, J. Postsecondary disability attitudes: A comparison of college students with disabilities and their peers without disabilities. Journal of Association of Rehabilitation Counselors, in press (2005).
7. Clay, D.L., Cortina, S. Harper, D.C., Cocco, K., and Drotar, D. (2004). School teachers' experiences with childhood chronic illness: Implications for practice and training. Children's Health Care.33 (3), 227-239.
8. Harper, D.C. and D'Alessandro, D. M. (2004) The child's voice: understanding the contexts of children and families today. Pediatric Dentistry 26,2, March/April, pp 114-120.
9. Harper, D.C., Swingle, Widness, J., H Bonthius, D., Weiner, C., Aylward, G. (2006). Neurodevelopmental consequences of severe fetal anemia with hydrops. Amer J OB\GYN. 195, 192-200.
10. Estrada-Hernandez, N, Harper, D.C. Research on psychosocial aspects of albinism: a critical review (submitted) Journal of Rehabilitation Psychology.
11. Harper, D.C. Sinca, A. , Zeaman, C, Aylward, G. (in preparation) Developmental Neurotoxicity: Blue Baby Syndrome in Romania.
12. Harper, D.C. Telemedicine for children with disabilities. (2006) Children's Health Care, Winter, vol.35.No.1, pp-11-27.
13. Wadsworth, J and Harper, D.C. Adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: assessment and treatment (in press) Journal of Counseling and Development.
14. Harper, D.C. (2005) (Invited) Stereotypic Thinking in Children-is there a "MQ"? Moral Quotient Distinguished Service Award, Pediatric Psychology, American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C. Division 54 Web Site E-publication, Newsletter.
15. Cvengros, J.A., Harper, D.C., and Shevell, M. Pediatric Headache: a review of process variables in relation to outcome. (submitted) Journal of Child Neurology.
16. Downey, D., Hurtig, R., and Harper, D.C. (submitted in preparation) Implementing argumentative /alternative communication in acute care settings. Law Issue Journal Assistive Technology.
17. Harper, D.C. Developmental Disorders, (Invited-in press) Encyclopedia of Counseling, Sage Publishers.
18. Harper, D.C. Mental retardation and "being gay" (in preparation)