Katja Jussila

I am a university lecturer in clinical psychology and a clinical neuropsychologist at the Unit of Psychology. I have 28 years of research experience within the Oulu Autism Research Group (Research Unit of Clinical Medicine), where I continue to work as a senior researcher, and I currently lead the SenSO research group (Sensory and Neurodevelopmental Studies of Oulu University) at the Unit of Psychology.

My earlier work has focused on the recognition and identification of autistic traits among high-functioning individuals, the familiality of these traits in siblings and parents of individuals with autism, and the translation, implementation, validation, and evaluation of screening and diagnostic tools (ASSQ, SRS, ADI-R, ADOS) for use in Finland.

Building on this foundation, my current research examines the full spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental coordination disorder (DCD), learning disorders, and intellectual disability (ID). I investigate their shared and distinct mechanisms through a transdiagnostic and dimensional framework.

A central focus of my work is on sensory processing differences as potential transdiagnostic markers linking neurodevelopmental traits and psychiatric symptomatology. My recent studies extend this framework into adulthood, investigating sensory and neurodevelopmental traits among highly educated women and their associations with functional overload (including workplace distress, avoidance of sensory-demanding situations) and psychiatric outcomes.

By integrating population-based data with dimensional models such as the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP), my work aims to clarify shared behavioral and neurodevelopmental mechanisms underlying vulnerability and resilience. The overarching goal is to improve early identification and tailored support across the lifespan by bridging neuroscience, clinical psychology, and public health perspectives.