Amy Van Hecke, Ph.D.

Dr. Amy Van Hecke is a developmental neuroscientist and Professor of Psychology at Marquette University. She is also the Executive Co-Director of Milwaukee’s Next Step Autism Clinic.  Dr. Van Hecke received her undergraduate degree from Smith College and her PhD in Developmental Psychology from the University of Miami. Her research focuses on 1) the effects of relationship-based therapies on brain development in autistic children and adults, and 2) improving access and family-centered models of care for underserved children with developmental delays. She has published over 50 scholarly articles on autism, has collaborated and presented her work locally and internationally, and enjoys training students in psychology, nursing, speech pathology, biomedical sciences, and education to be the next generation of autism professionals.  Dr. Van Hecke is also President of the Board of the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin. Originally from Mississippi, she now calls Milwaukee home, and lives there with her husband, two daughters, and Bear the goldendoodle.