Our Multidisciplinary Team

Natalie Novick Brown, PhD Developmental Psychologist and Program Director

Natalie Novick Brown, PhD, obtained her undergraduate training at UCLA and completed doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Washington in 1994. She subsequently completed a year of postdoctoral training at the University of of Washington’s Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit (FADU)and, since then, has consulted with FADU staff and participated in research projects. During her postdoctoral training, Dr. Brown worked directly with pioneer FASD researcher Dr. Ann Streissguth, developing expertise in assessing the functional disabilities associated with FASD. Dr. Brown also assisted in the groundbreaking secondary disabilities study, which identified a number of adverse life outcomes associated with undiagnosed and untreated FASD. Licensed as a psychologist in both Washington State and Florida and certified by the Division of Developmental Disabilities in Washington State, Dr. Brown has treated and/or evaluated more than 500 adults and adolescents with FASD, including many charged with murder and sexually violent crimes. She has authored and co-authored numerous articles and book chapters on the functional and developmental effects of FASD, conducted numerous national and international trainings on FASD, and testified as an FASD expert in a number of states. For further information about Dr. Brown's private practice, see DrNatalieBrown.net.

View Dr. Brown's Curriculum Vitae (CV) and retainer agreement.

 

Paul D. Connor, PhD Neuropsychologist and Neuropsychological Director

Paul Connor, PhD, received undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology from the University of Washington and completed postdoctoral training in neuropsychology at Brigham Young University. He returned to the University of Washington to complete a post-doctoral fellowship in neuropsychology and fetal alcohol research. For the next 12 years, he worked as the FADU neuropsychologist, specializing in the study of the damaging effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the brain. For example, he served as Project Director for the Seattle Longitudinal Prospective Study and was Co-Investigator in a study involving MRI analysis and neuropsychological functioning in patients diagnosed with FASD conditions. He also was Principal Investigator for another FASD study involving functional MRI. He has authored and co-authored several articles and book chapters on the neuropsychological, neuroimaging, and psychiatric implications of the long-term effects of prenatal alcohol exposure into adolescence and adulthood. Dr. Connor currently has a private clinical and forensic practice involving neuropsychological assessment services for adults with known or suspected prenatal alcohol damage. For further information about Dr. Connor's private practice, see ConnorNeuropsychology.com.

View Dr. Connor's Curriculum Vitae (CV) and retainer agreement.

 

Richard S. Adler, MDPsychiatrist and Medical Director

Richard Adler, MD, is a Seattle-based Board-certified Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. After completing an adult psychiatry residency at Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA, he completed a Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. Dr. Adler was Medical Director of the Mental Health Clinics in Somerset and Worcester Counties, MD, for four years, serving as a National Health Services Scholar. Shortly after moving to Seattle in 1996, he joined the staff of Children's Hospital and remained there for over 10 years. Dr. Adler completed a Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Washington School of Medicine in 2000. His forensic practice involves experience in civil and criminal forensic matters, and he has been retained by plaintiffs, defendants, and the prosecution nationwide, including the State of Washington, City of Seattle, King County, and the U.S. Navy in Japan. For further information about Dr. Adler's private practice, see RichardAdlerMD.com.

View Dr. Adler's Curriculum Vitae (CV) and retainer agreement.

 

Legal Director

Judge Anthony (Tony) Wartnik has a long and distinguished career in law and has been recognized by his peers for his outstanding contribution to his field. His 34-year career as a trial judge started in 1971, and he retired in 2005 as the Senior Judge of the King County Superior Court of the State of Washington. During his career, Judge Wartnik served as the Presiding Judge for Juvenile Court, Chief Judge for Family Law Court, and Chair of the Family Department and Family and Juvenile Law Committees. He also was Dean Emeritus for the Washington Judicial College, Chair of the Judicial College Board of Trustees, and Chair of the Washington State Supreme Court’s Judicial Education Committee. Judge Wartnik’s interest and experience with FASD began in 1994 when he chaired an ad hoc committee to establish protocols for determining the competency of youngsters appearing in court who were suffering from brain damage. He subsequently chaired the Governor's Advisory Panel on FAS/FAE. In addition, he served on Governor Dan Evans’ Task Force on Decision Making Models in Corrections. Judge Wartnik currently consults with the University of Washington’s FADU and King County Superior Court on the interface of FASD with the criminal justice system. He has presented on FASD at numerous local, national, and international conferences and authored several articles on FASD and the law. In addition to providing legal consultation services within FASDExperts, Judge Wartnik occasionally consults with referring attorneys regarding forensic issues raised by the Team.