Patient Ratings:
Appointments and Referrals: 1-800-TRY-CHOP (1-800-879-2467)
Kate E. Wallis, MD, MPH, is a board-certified developmental & behavioral pediatrician who takes care of children in the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, and in the Cardiac Kids Developmental Program. She specializes in treating children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and congenital heart disease. Her research is focused on screening and diagnosing children with potential developmental delays.
Dr. Wallis developed her interest in working with children when she was still in high school. At the time, she worked at a camp for children with developmental disabilities. “I loved meeting the campers and their families, learning about their conditions, and seeing the progress they made each summer during their time at camp. I knew then that I wanted to work with children with developmental disabilities,” she says.
As she pursued her education, she became interested in the field of developmental-behavioral pediatrics. “I love that my field lets me think about what makes kids kids: how they learn, develop, play, and interact with others. Now, I get to play with really cool kids every day at work!” Dr. Wallis says.
She says she feels a particular connection to kids who have ASD or heart disease. “Families of these kids are often seeking answers and help, and I feel like I have something unique to offer them. I may not always have all of the answers to every question I am asked, but I aim to take every question and concern seriously to try to help families gain the understanding that they seek. Families should know that I go home and think about my patients, worry about them, and hope that the care that I provide them helps in some small way.”
Dr. Wallis is optimistic about how treatment for ASD in particular is evolving. “We are learning more about autism spectrum disorder every day—not as quickly as some families would like—but we are constantly making progress in our understanding of autism,” she says. “I am excited to see how the field changes, as new technologies are developed to help identify children with autism, and as treatments advance to provide more options to help kids and adults.”
Dr. Wallis earned a Master’s in Public Health and her medical degree from SUNY Stony Brook University School of Medicine in Stony Brook, New York. She continued her training with a residency in pediatrics at New York University School of Medicine, New York; and fellowships in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND), both at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Wallis is an instructor at the CHOP Policy Lab and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She has published frequently, primarily on the topics of ASD and developmental delays.
Dr. Wallis’ research interests focus on the process by which children are first identified as having potential developmental delays and how that process impacts different demographic groups. “Pediatricians provide screening for autism and other developmental issues, but the process is still imperfect, and many children are missed,” she says. “In particular, children of color, low-income children, and girls tend to be diagnosed later. My research focuses on understanding how we can improve the process of screening to more equitably identify children at a younger age to help them access services as early as possible.”