Family stress and coping in raising a child with a disability; genetic syndromes (Fragile X Syndrome, Prader Willi Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome); social-emotional development, temperament and neurodevelopmental profiles of children with disabilities; positive psychology; mindfulness as an intervention for parental stress.

I was born and raised in south Florida with three fun-loving younger siblings. I received my B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology from Southern Methodist University in 1993, and my Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2004. My research interests include social/emotional development and temperament in young children, family and maternal well-being among families raising a child with a disability, mother-child interaction patterns, and the development of a strength-based/positive psychology focus in child and family research. In addition to my work at the Center for Development and Learning, I also collaborate with researchers on several projects at the FPG Child Development Institute. My balancing passion is my yoga and meditation practice, which I love to share with anyone interested.

Principal Investigator, FPG Child Development Institute, Chapel Hill, NC Temperamental Predictors of Behavior in Children with Fragile X Syndrome.

Clinical Professor, Psychiatry, UNC-Chapel Hill

Principal Investigator, Center for Development and Learning Chapel Hill, NC  
Linking Learning with Neurodevelopment: Management Strategies for Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

Supervisor, Center for Development and Learning, Chapel Hill, NC 

Hatton, D. H., Wheeler, A. C., Sideris, J., Sullivan, K., Reichardt, A., Roberts, J., Clark, R., & Bailey, D. B. (2007). Developmental
              trajectories of girls with fragile X syndrome. Manuscript in review

RouWheeler, A. C., Skinner, D., & Bailey, D.B. (2008). Perceived quality of life in mothers of children with fragile X syndrome.
             American Journal on Mental Retardation.

Wheeler, A.C., Hatton, D.H.,  Reichardt, A., & Bailey, D. (2007). Correlates of maternal behavior in mothers of children with
              fragile X syndrome. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 51, 447-462.

GrSkinner, M, Hooper, S, Hatton, D.B., Roberts, J., Mirrett, P., Schaaf, J., Sullivan, K., Wheeler, A., & Bailey, D.D. (2005).
             Mapping non-verbal IQ in boys with fragile X syndrome. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 132, 25-32.

Roberts, J., Schaaf, J., Skinner, M., Wheeler, A., Mirrett, P., Hatton, D., & Bailey, D. (2005). Academic achievement skills in boys
              with fragile X syndrome. American Journal of Mental Retardation, 110, 107-120.

Harrison M. and Roush, J. (2004). Providing information at diagnosis: Advice from parents. Volta Voices, 11(7), 6-7.

RoHatton, D. B., Wheeler, A.C., Skinner, M., Bailey, D.D., Sullivan, K., Roberts, J., Mirrett, P., & Clark, R.  (2003). Adaptive
              behavior in children with fragile X syndrome. American Journal of Mental Retardation.

Hatton, D.B., Hooper, S. R. Bailey, D.D., Skinner, M., Sullivan, K., & Wheeler, A. (2001).  Behavior characteristics of boys with
             fragile X syndrome. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 108, 105-116.

Wheeler, A. C. (2005). Medical Issues: Fragile X Syndrome. Encyclopedia of School Psychology (3rd edition, Vol. 3) New York:
             Macmillian.

Gleason, D., Wheeler, A.C., & Hatton, D. B. (2006) Assessment of Infants and Toddlers with Visual Impairments.  Chapel Hill:
              University of North Carolina, FPG Child Development Institute, Early Intervention Training Center for Infants and
             Toddlers With Visual Impairments..