Rolanda Gott, MD, FAAP

Before joining UCLA, Dr. Rolanda Gott was a member of the expert team that developed the Missouri Autism Guidelines Initiatives I and II for screening, diagnosis and evidence based treatment for ASD. With funds from the State of Missouri she developed and led one of the four Missouri Autism Centers which provided clinical care and training for providers in the field of Autism.

She was PI on multisite projects investigating African American Children with Autism spectrum disorders, funded by the Simons Foundation, UCLA ACE and Autism Speaks. Through Autism Treatment Network I participated in the review and development of toolkits for individuals with Autism.

She published peer reviewed articles on sleep disorders, vision problems in children with ASD, autism screening and other disabilities.

She also introduced a training curriculum with an innovative video teaching tool on Autism and Developmental Delay for Parents as Teachers National Center. This autism screening implemented by PAT has led to policy changes at the National and State of Missouri. 

After joining UCLA in April 2018

Clinical:
Dr. Gott’s clinical interest and expertise is in evaluation and treatment of children with autism. In addition to providing clinical assessments at DBP, Dr. Gott recently joined the multidisciplinary Encephalopathy Epilepsy led by Dr. Shaun Hussein and provides autism evaluation for these patients.

Academic work
In collaboration with Special Olympics International, Dr. Gott has developed Healthy Start toolkit funded by CDC. This online toolkit provides information and support for caregivers with a newly diagnosed child with Global Developmental Delay or Intellectual Disability. This parent toolkit will be available online in US and around the world in 2023.

Research:
Coinvestigator on research study AMO Pharma Phase 2/3 Tideglusib treatment for congenital myotonic dystrophy Dr. Perry Shieh PI)

Teaching
Dr. Gott is proactive in expanding training for medical students and other trainees on inclusive health for individuals with Developmental disabilities. At her lectures, Dr. Gott has invited individuals with disability and their families to discuss best way to communicate and provide medical care.

Through lectures and rotation at Developmental and Behavior Pediatrics at UCLA, Dr. Gott has introduced training for medical students and nurse practitioners at UCLA DBP. She also presents ongoing lectures on Autism and Developmental Disabilities to DBP Fellows, pediatric residents, genetics counselor students, physicians and parents. 

Mentorship
Dr. Gott is the Faculty Lead on the Special Interest group on Special Olympics which engages medical students in free medical exam for athletes enrolled in UCLA Unified Special Olympics, program  led by undergraduate UCLA students.

Advocacy
Dr. Gott is a strong advocate for services for individuals with special needs as Board Member Board of Directors and Health sub-committee, Southern California Special Olympics. As part of the Committee Walk for Autism Speaks Dr. Gott has engaged UCLA Faculty staff and trainees in Autism Walk events.