Laura K. Hansen, PhD
Clinic Director and Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Hansen is the Director of the UA-ASD Clinic and a licensed clinical psychologist. She received her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi and completed her pre-doctoral internship in clinical psychology at the Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. Dr. Hansen also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical child psychology with a specialization in the assessment and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. From September 2020 to April 2024, Dr. Hansen served as the Director of Psychology at Mitchell’s Place, a comprehensive ASD treatment facility in Birmingham, AL. She joined the UA-ASD Clinic staff in spring 2024.
Rebekah Whitt, MA, CCC-SLP
Licensed Speech and Language Pathologist
Rebekah Whitt is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Clinical Supervisor at the UA-ASD Clinic. In this role, she provides speech-language therapy to children with autism and clinical education to graduate students in the Department of Communicative Disorders. Rebekah received her Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Alabama in May 2020. She also graduated summa cum laude from UA with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communicative Disorders in December 2017. Prior to graduating from UA with her Master’s degree, Rebekah completed an internship at the UA-ASD Clinic. After graduating with her Master’s degree, she completed her Clinical Fellowship in Speech-Language Pathology at Child’s Play Therapy Center in Hoover, AL where she provided clinical services to a variety of pediatric populations. Rebekah returned to the UA-ASD clinic in the Fall 2021. Rebekah’s special interests include Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Pragmatic Disorders, Expressive Language Delays, and Fluency Disorders.
In her free time, Rebekah enjoys spending time with her family and friends, kickboxing, cheering on the Crimson Tide, and spoiling her Goldendoodle.
Debbie Kofman
Clinic Coordinator
ddkofman@ua.edu
(205) 348-3130
Debbie Kofman received her Bachelors of Science degree in environmental science from the University of West Alabama (formerly Livingston University). She has worked as an office manager and accounting assistant in various offices since 1992 including the University of Alabama Moundville Archaeological Park, the University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business and for PanAmerican.
Currently, Debbie is the UA-ASD Clinic’s Coordinator and has been since 2016. In her role as Coordinator, Debbie provides support to clinicians, students and clients.
Lauren Barton
Speech/Language Intern
Lauren Barton is a graduate student at Baylor University in the Communication Sciences and Disorders department. She will graduate in December. In May 2020, Lauren received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Alabama. She worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant for two years before starting graduate school. Lauren loves meeting new clients and developing special relationships with each one and their families.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys spending quality time with her son, family, and friends, and playing with her dogs.