Emma V. Cole, PhD

Pediatric Neuropsychologist

Dr. Cole is a pediatric neuropsychologist and Maryland state-credentialed school psychologist. She has worked as a school psychologist in multiple public school districts, and as a pediatric neuropsychologist in outpatient hospital settings.

She primarily oversees the neuropsychology services at the Kennedy Krieger Institute's School Programs' four schools, which serve children from ages 5 to 21 years old. In her role, Dr. Cole provides special education (SPED) team-initiated assessments to students with a wide array of emotional, behavioral, neurodevelopmental, medical, and genetic conditions. She also completes outpatient evaluations through the Department of Neuropsychology, as well as provides consultation services to local schools.

She has expertise in special education law, the assessment of children for educational services, the assessment of lower functioning and/or behaviorally disruptive children, and the transition of students with disabilities to post-secondary settings.

Her research interests include factors affecting post-secondary outcomes for students with disabilities, the development of advocacy skills in students with disabilities, and the clinical utility of common neuropsychological measures with lower functioning populations.

• Homework help and academic support, Baltimore, CBS 13. WJZ (August 25, 2025) 
• Reducing summer learning loss in individuals with IDD [Audio podcast episode]. Interview by R. Rich. In See Me, See My Ability. The ARC of Southern Maryland (July 15, 2025)
• Medical alert: Fireworks and sensory sensitivities [Television interview]. Interview by K. Reed. Baltimore, NBC 11. WBAL (June 29, 2025)  
• Fireworks alternatives for children and adults with sensory sensitivity. Baltimore Fishbowl (June 9, 2025)
• Understanding learning differences [Webinar]. Education Week (October 17, 2024) 
• Understanding bullying’s impact and detecting warning signs [Television interview]. Baltimore, CBS 13 WJZ (October 14, 2024) 
• How teachers can motivate and engage neurodiverse students. Education Week. Interview by E. Heubeck (October 7, 2024) 
• A pediatric neuropsychologist discusses how parents can help their kids learn while also having fun during the summer [Television interview]. Interview by S. Gebre-Ab & A. Kawata. Baltimore, CBS 13. WJZ. (June 29, 2023) 
• Tackling learning loss [Television interview]. Interview by T. Rodgers. Baltimore, Fox 45, WBFF (August 10, 2022)

Dr. Cole's research interests include factors affecting post-secondary outcomes for students with disabilities, the development of advocacy skills in students with disabilities, and the clinical utility of neuropsychological measures with low functioning individuals.

• Cole, E., Cawthon, S. Self-disclosure decisions of university students with learning disabilities. Journal of Higher Education and Disabilities. 2015;28(2), 163 –179

• Cawthon, S., Cole, E. Post-secondary students who have a learning disability: Student perspectives on accommodations, access, and obstacles. Journal of Higher Education and Disability. 2010; 23(2), 112 –128

• Davis, A., Cole, E., Yadava, G. Autism spectrum disorder with seizures: Collaboration through case example. In K. M. Sanders Editor (Ed.), Physician’s field guide to neuropsychology - Collaborative instruction through clinical case examples. New York, New York: Springer. 2019; 115-132

• Online module to Autism Spectrum Disorder Course, The Kennedy Krieger Central Curriculum, Leppert and Harrison, Eds., “Epidemiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders”. A self-paced asynchronous online course, release date 2022. On LMS learn.hopkinsmedicine.org.

• Nomination: Excellence in Clinical Service in Psychology Award, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 6/27/19
• Diplomate in School Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology, 1/1/19

• A pediatric case study of 9p deletion, Poster Presentation, Annual Conference, American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, Chicago, Illinois, 6/1/15
• Learning disabled student's high school to college transition: Accommodations, knowledge, and barriers, Poster Presentation, Conference, Association of Higher Education and Disability, Louisville, Kentucky, 7/14/19

• Board Member, American Board of School Psychology