Janet F. Farmer
Professor of health psychology and child health; Director, Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Columbia, Mo.
Internationally known for her research on pediatric rehabilitation psychology and neuropsychology, Janet Farmer, PhD ’91, is the founding Director of the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Established by an $8.5 million gift from Bill and Nancy Thompson in 2005, the Center integrates the best research and clinical services from multiple academic units at MU into a model program for the diagnosis and treatment of children and adults affected by autism and other neurological conditions. The Center also promotes the training of future professionals. One of the few board-certified rehabilitation psychologists in the United States, Farmer is a fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA), currently serves as president of the APA Division of Rehabilitation Psychology and is associate editor of its journal, Rehabilitation Psychology. She received the Marie Kovar Award in 2005 in recognition of her contributions to individuals with disabilities. She has held key faculty appointments in the School of Health Professions (SHP) and the School of Medicine and received the SHP Dean’s Service Award in 2005 and the Mizzou Faculty Performance Shares Award in 2001. A member of the Mizzou Alumni Association and the Jefferson Club, Farmer and her husband, John, have two children: Christopher, BA ’98; and Michael, BA ’00.