About John Hite
John Hite, Psy.D., M.Ed.
Educational Consulting | Professional Training | Education Policy | Research
I’m an educational consultant and researcher with a background in school psychology and special education. For over twenty years, one question has guided my work: what actually helps kids? I look for evidence-based answers families, schools, and organizations can use.
Background and experience
I started my career as a special education teacher, then moved into consultation on evidence-based interventions and programs for children. That work led me back to graduate school to become a school psychologist. During my doctoral studies, I trained in schools and at a medical center, including its specialty developmental clinic and child and adolescent psychiatry services.
I spent more than a decade with the Maine Department of Education’s Child Development Services, providing psychological services for young children and consultation with families and educators.
I also teach child psychiatry residents and fellows as Clinical Teaching Faculty at Tufts University School of Medicine, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Maine Medical Center.
Research
I’m an applied researcher interested in how psychologists communicate, how language shapes understanding, and how we conceptualize and respond to children’s developmental and learning challenges. That work is driven by curiosity about what the evidence shows works best and how it can improve the support children receive.
My research includes accessible communication and health literacy, parents’ experiences of psychological evaluations, and assessment and intervention for reading and mathematics difficulties.
Professional training and advocacy
I’ve presented at the National Association of School Psychologists Annual Convention and for state school psychology and educational associations on topics from advocacy to accessible communication. International online trainings have covered dyslexia intervention and anxiety in the classroom.
In Maine, I worked with legislators from both parties to expand school psychological services. I’ve also served in leadership roles with the National Association of School Psychologists.
Selected recognition
President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution, National Association of School Psychologists
Outstanding Service, Maine Association of School Psychology
Vincent Cristiani Award for Leadership in School Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston
Looking for psychological services?
I’m a psychology associate at the Arbit Center for Mental Health, seeing children ages two and older at the Washington, D.C. office. Evaluations and developmental consultation address questions about autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, depression, and other challenges children experience. Assessments and school observations inform an accessible report that answers parents’ and teachers’ questions. Recommendations are practical, individualized, and grounded in research.
For educational consultation, professional training, or policy work, email john@hitestrategies.com.
