Déjeuneé Ashby M.D. is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Fellow at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA). She received her Doctorate of Medicine through Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and completed her pediatric residency at CHLA. She is also currently an Academic Pediatric Associate New Century Scholars Junior Mentor, in which she serves as a mentor to help increase diversity within academic general pediatrics.

Prior to medical school, Dr. Ashby served as an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapist for children with autism spectrum disorder for over 3 years within the Southbay Los Angeles community. It was during this time she observed health disparities within diagnostic age and amount of services for children of color and of lower economic status. This sparked her interest in serving children with developmental disabilities and conducting research within autism spectrum disorder ethnic disparities.

As a Diversity Fellow with the USC UCEDD and LEND, she will be exploring autism spectrum disorder knowledge within the Los Angeles African-American community through focus groups that will be conducted at Los Angeles community churches. She hopes this information will help decrease the diagnostic prevalence gap for African-Americans with autism spectrum disorder.