Anna Esbensen

Professional Advisor

Anna Esbensen, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.  She studies the lifespan development of individuals with Down syndrome and provides clinical services to families of children with Down syndrome through the Jane and Richard Thomas Center for Down Syndrome. She also serves as the Research Director for the Thomas Center.  Her research focuses on the physical and mental health of individuals with Down syndrome, and their impact on behavioral and cognitive outcomes. She has received NIH and foundation funding to investigate the aging of adults with Down syndrome, to conduct randomized clinical trials in children with Down syndrome, and most recently to evaluate the appropriateness of cognitive outcome measures in children with Down syndrome.

In her role with The Improvaneer Method, Dr. Esbensen, has been a valuable advisor in creating our Evaluation Method. She also helps provide insight on behavioral and skillset suggestions within the structure of the program. As we continue to grow, Dr. Esbensen will help us evaluate the impact the program has on the participants and their continued development of the key skills attributed to the program.