Dr. Margaret Dyson is a licensed clinical psychologist and nationally recognized expert in social skill development for individuals with neurodevelopmental differences, including autism spectrum disorder, language disorders, ADHD, and learning differences. She brings deep clinical expertise and a strong research foundation to her work with children, adolescents, and young adults.
Dr. Dyson has advanced training and certification in several leading evidence-based social skills interventions, including PEERS®, Lego®-based Social Skills, and Regulating Together. Her approach integrates structured, research-supported methodologies with nuanced clinical insight into the social, emotional, and developmental profiles of the individuals she serves.
She has held academic appointments within the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego and at Rady Children’s Hospital, where she was involved in both clinical care and research. Dr. Dyson has been extensively engaged in autism research, particularly in examining responsiveness to evidence-based interventions aimed at improving social functioning and reducing anxiety. She has participated in multiple NIH-funded research protocols and has co-authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications in leading academic journals.
Prior to joining CM Psychology & Developmental Care, Dr. Dyson served as Director of the Social Skills Program at the Child Mind Institute, where she was instrumental in the development and expansion of one of the nation’s most comprehensive social skills programs. Under her leadership, the program served children, adolescents, adults, and families throughout the tristate area.
At CM Psychology & Developmental Care, Dr. Dyson leads all social skills programming, including PEERS® groups for preschoolers, teens, and young adults, Children’s Friendship Training (CFT), and the Summer Lego® Group. She is deeply committed to helping individuals with neurodevelopmental differences build meaningful, sustainable, and mutually reciprocal relationships. Her work emphasizes practical skill-building, confidence, and long-term social resilience.
In addition to directing the social skills programs, Dr. Dyson conducts comprehensive autism evaluations and psychological assessments to support diagnostic clarification, individualized intervention planning, and school-based recommendations. She also serves as a supervisor on comprehensive evaluation and testing cases completed by our pre-doctoral graduate externs and postdoctoral fellows. In this role, she provides close clinical oversight to ensure diagnostic clarity, thoughtful formulation, and evidence-based recommendations that reflect the highest standards of psychological assessment.
Dr. Dyson’s work reflects a core belief that social development can be taught thoughtfully, compassionately, and effectively, and that every individual deserves the tools and confidence to connect with others in ways that feel authentic and lasting.
