Dr. Tarin Santamaria, PsyD, NCSP

08/05/2025

The NDSC and DSMIG conferences never disappoint! This year’s moto was “Ya’ll Means All” which emphasizes the need for inclusion, and not just inclusion in education. I had the privilege of presenting about the personal and environmental safety needs in the Down syndrome community. See ya’ll next year…

05/06/2025

On 5/28/25 at 1:00pm, PEAL Is holding a training called Navigating the care of a child/youth with special health needs.

For more information and to register for the event: https://www.tfaforms.com/5177787?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR7_lzPxAWxfBL1Tao80S8RrQLHyMHLeq-5509DbeXfC9mqnkmRRUVv8Nk3ioA_aem_-wsWX_WdVTkCUkYvdXlV3w

04/17/2025

As a Pediatric Psychologist who works alongside Autistic individuals and their families, I am disgusted and disheartened by RFK Jr.’s false rhetoric about the communities I serve.

All individuals and families are different. Some may experience more challenges than others. Some caregivers may grieve the life they had imagined for their individual. Some experience overwhelming joy at every milestone. Dr. Tommy Martin said it best, “These realities are incredibly hard and deserve real support, not judgment, not shame, and certainly not fear-based rhetoric.” Autistic individuals don’t deserve to be dehumanized. They deserve compassion, understanding, and support. Autistic individuals do not destroy families. Actual stressors to individuals and their families include unmet needs and broken systems. This includes insurance issues, inaccessible services, lack of inclusion, and lack of appropriate accommodations in schools, to name a few. A diagnosis does not define their potential. Vaccines do not cause Autism. This is a fact backed by scientific research. The rate of Autism is going up due to more awareness, early intervention, and better diagnostic practices.

I have the privilege of knowing and working with autistic individuals, who are pretty wonderful.

Here are some resources for families:

A. Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew, 3rd Edition, by Ellen Notbohm and Veronica Zysk
B. Essential First Steps for Parents of Children with Autism, by Lara Delmolino and Sandra Harris
C. Autism Speaks: http://www.autismspeaks.org/ (caution due to the autistic community's concern with the organization)
D. ABOARD's Autism Connection of PA: http://autism-support.org/
E. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism
F. https://embrace-autism.com
G. Unmasking Autism by Dr Devon Price
H. Is this autism? By Sarah Wayland and Dr Donna Henderson
I. We are all neurodiverse by Sonny Jane
J. Lived Experience Educator Neurodivergentinsights.com
K. Divergent Conversations divergentpod.com
L. The Autistic Culture podcast https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/podcast

Welcome to the Autistic Culture Podcast. 💛 Each episode we dive deep into Autistic contributions to society and Autistic culture by introducing you to some of the world’s most famous and successful Autistics in history! Explore autism, neurodiversity, and autistic identity through engaging conv...

03/21/2025

Happy World Down Syndrome Day 2025!!!!! In honor of those that I work with, and to continue my mission to educate others about the DS community, here are some of my favorite resources:

1. Practicing Inclusive MH care: https://ndss.org/resources/practicing-inclusive-mental-healthcare-individuals-down-syndrome
2. Inclusive education guidelines: https://ndss.org/inclusive-education-guidelines
3. Communicating Unexpected News: https://jacksbasket.org/curriculum/
4. Dr. Vellody’s podcasts: https://downsyndromecenter.libsyn.com/dsc
5. Behavior book: https://www.amazon.com/Supporting-Positive-Behavior-Children-Syndrome/dp/B0BGNMRCCH/ref=mp_s_a_1_36?crid=1IM0QNC27EA7B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-ds2I35yvoIUw5lOr-qj8ojvAiI2AGm3h18iwgdx-YiLF8ClWF7gT2O2H9AdTFuPZ47yiQFtPWNkkO3gJK9PwoaG7ukwZRK5PwL6xnUca7SRpj642ExS7Y1LGsEfAbQ46Bxo8wXHhZVG8gLOrurlmr4s3MTns9hx10-BDE4HZskgPV1UnT48LVM01PTajP0g7QNQM7yZwIA_upxEiVXDAw.94iyrZqJ8kAC4k_I0XquMgulzgpfueebZWrCfA3hI_0&dib_tag=se&keywords=down+syndrome&qid=1711075621&sprefix=down+syndrome%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-36
6. Sexuality/dating/boundaries books: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3ATerri%2BCouwenhoven&s=relevancerank&text=Terri+Couwenhoven&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1
7. DS-ASD book: https://www.amazon.com/When-Down-Syndrome-Autism-Intersect/dp/1962968049/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=14VV6K3AF3SEO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gpLeU_omltUGOfHTwwBTKJ9ZjPsAA8J76udvONDKUcY7XwejnSHhoawhSNhysZbn9wqVbO5qse5rpqHBKQxYRtBRzv1mTXktTOPLzoYmqlbVXU86YSztTieh9jABDGsmnCKqqpbhnYYqNHB2l79oJBih_8PB7-rJMQkWkAdUhK5P200v0GsBczK0PQo2z2NYCI4BiAPCK1dWaC68rAuvQw.tbs5TRTg8iZ5g9YkUuhkkhvAwn5FArQyF7anWdlbTDc&dib_tag=se&keywords=ds+and+autism&qid=1742572302&sprefix=ds+and+autism%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-1
8. Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh (DSAP). Check out the Speaker Series: https://dsapgh.org/
9. Potty training book: https://www.amazon.com/Potty-Time-Kids-Down-Syndrome/dp/1606132954

Whether you’re just getting started potty training your child with Down syndrome or have been at it for months or years, Potty Time for Kids with Down Syndrome: Lose the Diapers, Not Your Patience offers the specialized guidance needed for you and your child to be successful! Drawing on their yea....

03/12/2025

623 Center Avenue, Suite 100
Pittsburgh, PA 15229

02/17/2025

In January, I was invited to present and share information about Down syndrome to the Pittsburgh Psychology Internship Consortium (PPIC). PPIC is a local training program for doctoral psychology interns that provides clinical and didactic experiences to prepare interns for future professional psychological practice. PPIC interns work in organizations such as Children’s Hospital, community mental health organizations, and private practices in the Pittsburgh region.

In undergraduate and graduate schools, I learned little to nothing about Down syndrome. However, I have gained invaluable experience, education, and expertise in Down syndrome since becoming the Pediatric Psychologist in the Down Syndrome Center of Western PA in 2017. Sharing information about Down syndrome is important for future professionals who may work with individuals with Down syndrome in their clinical practices and schools. My presentation included information about common medical complexities, behavioral and social-emotional presentations, as well as needs within the educational environment. It is my hope that my presentation provides foundational information needed to ensure advocacy, inclusion, and success for all individuals with Down syndrome.

10/14/2024

I joined Dr. Vellody on his podcast for the Down Syndrome Center of Western PA to discuss behavioral health services in our area. Take a listen:

The Down Syndrome Center of Western Pennsylvania's very own psychologist, Dr. Tarin Santamaria, joined the podcast to help us understand the "alphabet soup" of behavioral support services that are available in the community.

08/02/2024

The 2024 NDSC convention in Arizona was a great success. It was wonderful to connect with individuals with Down syndrome and their teams. I gave 3 presentations and squeezed in some quality time with coworkers from the DSC.

04/29/2024

Dr. Melissa Nelson, Erin Kelly, and I presented at the 2024 TiPS Behavioral Health and Pediatric Primary Care Conference- Autism and Developmental Disorders in Focus. It was a great opportunity to collaborate with pediatricians, mental health clinicians, and families targeting navigating the special education system.

03/22/2024

Happy World Down Syndrome Day! In honor of those I work with, I would like to share some wonderful resources with others:

1) Down Syndrome Inclusive Education Guidelines can be downloaded for free here: https://lnkd.in/dNZy6GHt

2) Dr. Vellody’s podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dwjbE6Ws

3) My favorite book: https://www.amazon.com/Supporting-Positive-Behavior-Children-Syndrome/dp/B0BGNMRCCH/ref=mp_s_a_1_36?crid=1IM0QNC27EA7B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-ds2I35yvoIUw5lOr-qj8ojvAiI2AGm3h18iwgdx-YiLF8ClWF7gT2O2H9AdTFuPZ47yiQFtPWNkkO3gJK9PwoaG7ukwZRK5PwL6xnUca7SRpj642ExS7Y1LGsEfAbQ46Bxo8wXHhZVG8gLOrurlmr4s3MTns9hx10-BDE4HZskgPV1UnT48LVM01PTajP0g7QNQM7yZwIA_upxEiVXDAw.94iyrZqJ8kAC4k_I0XquMgulzgpfueebZWrCfA3hI_0&dib_tag=se&keywords=down+syndrome&qid=1711075621&sprefix=down+syndrome%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-36

03/04/2024

I had the pleasure of presenting during a didactic for the Pittsburgh Psychology Internship Consortium (PPIC). PPIC’s mission is to train doctoral psychology interns dedicated to serving children and their families.

When in undergraduate and graduate school, I learned little to nothing about Down syndrome. Since becoming employed as the Pediatric Psychologist of the Down Syndrome Center of Western PA, it is now my mission to educate future professionals about a population of individuals near and dear to my heart. The training audience consisted of local school psychology practicum students, pre-doctoral and post-doctoral candidates. These individuals held placements at hospitals, private practice, and community mental health agencies.

The clinicians may be providing treatment for our DS community and I hope that my presentation provides foundational information needed to ensure advocacy, inclusion, and success of all individuals with Down syndrome.