Jennifer Johnson, MD

Board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Jennifer Johnson joined Valley Children’s Specialty Medical Group as a developmental-behavioral pediatrician in 2020. She serves as the medical director of developmental-behavioral pediatrics for the hospital.

After receiving her medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, Missouri, Dr. Johnson went on to complete a pediatric residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas. She then completed a fellowship in developmental-behavioral pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Dr. Johnson’s areas of focus include childhood trauma and resilience, foster care, medication management for aggression and self-injurious behavior, and maximization of services for children with autism and intellectual disability. She has conducted research on topics such as academic achievement and supports for children in foster care or involved with the juvenile justice system. She has also co-authored a chapter on complementary medicine in ADHD in adolescents.

Dr. Johnson is passionate about providing education for patients, families, and providers and advocating for increased supports for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities within the Central Valley. She completed a multidisciplinary fellowship in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Program at the University of Southern California. She is the academic chief for developmental-behavioral pediatrics for Valley Children’s Pediatric Residency Program, Affiliated with Stanford University School of Medicine, and holds a clinical instructor (affiliate) faculty appointment at Stanford University School of Medicine. She regularly is engaged to speak by parent and multidisciplinary groups in the community on topics such as autism, ADHD, diagnostic overshadowing, service supports, and behavioral management, and she received the Comprehensive Youth Services 2023 Child Advocacy Award.