About Dr. Jesse Fischer
Dr. Fischer is a UCLA-trained pediatric neuropsychologist who specializes in developmentally focused assessment of children and young adults with neurodevelopmental differences (e.g., learning difficulties, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), giftedness, autism), social, emotional or behavioral difficulties, traumatic brain injury & sports concussion, epilepsy, genetic disorders, history of prematurity, brain tumors, and other complex medical conditions (e.g., chronic pain, chronic illness). He is also a PEERS® for Adolescents Certified Provider and a professor in the Kinesiology Department at Occidental College.
Dr. Fischer’s educational and clinical background includes:
B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Kinesiology at Occidental College.
M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Houston. Clinical settings have included inpatient and outpatient positions at nationally recognized medical centers (Texas Children’s Hospital, TIRR Memorial Hermann, UCLA Semel Institute/David Geffen School of Medicine).
Predoctoral residency/internship in pediatric neuropsychology with the Medical Psychology Assessment Center at UCLA’s Semel Institute
Postdoctoral fellowship in the (Lifespan) Neuropsychology of Brain Injury and Sports Concussion with the UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program, with rotations at the Medical Psychology Assessment Center and Hispanic Neuropsychiatric Center of Excellence.
Please click here to view Dr. Fischer’s CV.
Dr. Fischer has published peer-reviewed research on:
The impact of the family environment and early childhood stress (e.g., trauma, brain injury) on brain development
Brain structure differences and self-regulation difficulties following pediatric TBI
Sleep, depression, and anxiety difficulties following pediatric TBI and bodily injury
Posttraumatic stress and brain-related changes following TBI and bodily injury
The influence of peer crowd affiliation and health-risk behaviors in at-risk youth and college students
He continues to publish research in high-impact scientific journals, and presented research at national and international conferences, across topics of brain injury/concussion, neurodevelopment, and related treatment intervention.
Dr. Fischer was born and raised in Los Angeles, and as a former collegiate football player, his passion for the connection between brain and body grew out of a desire to help athletes return to peak performance, maximize their potential, and continue to reach their goals in and out of sports after concussion/injury.
On our mission and values as healthcare providers
“I continue to learn about and reckon with the privilege I have as a White, cisgender male, who is able-bodied, educated, neurotypical, and financially independent. If we as healthcare providers are serious about our role as healers in our community, I believe it’s vital to remain cognizant of our privilege, our limits or “growth edges” as clinicians, and where we may (intentionally or not) encroach on or diminish the power of others. Many believe providing medical care seems separate from philosophies of racial and social justice. But inequity across our communities is closely tied to mental and physical health outcomes. To fight for one without fighting for the other is a losing battle. With the goal of helping individuals identify and capitalize on their strengths and receive the support they need from their environment (e.g., school, home, employment), neuropsychology is one area we can empower those who are more vulnerable and often stigmatized.” – Jesse Fischer, Ph.D.