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Peter J. Chung

Peter J. Chung

•Health Science Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, UC Irvine
•Medical Director, the Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders at UCI

Biography

Peter J. Chung, M.D., FAAP, is Health Science Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at UC Irvine, Medical Director of the Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders at UCI, Division Chief of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at UC Irvine Medical School, and Vice Chair of Faculty Affairs in the UC Irvine Department of Pediatrics. He is board certified in both General Pediatrics and Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics. Chung received his M.D. from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed his pediatric residency and fellowship in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital.

Chung has served as Clinical Lead and Co-investigator for the Autism Learning Health Network and the Autism Care Network, collaborative initiatives supported by Autism Speaks and Partners Healthcare System that work to improve and standardize care for children with autism spectrum disorder through quality improvement science. He has been Principal Investigator on multiple grants totaling over $1.6 million, including a Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute study examining ADHD medication efficacy in children with co-occurring autism and ADHD, and a California Department of Developmental Services project focused on increasing access to developmental services through community education and screening. He serves on the Editorial Board for the American Board of Pediatrics Maintenance of Certification and has been Lead Editor of DBP Prep since 2021.

Chung has published research on quality improvement in developmental-behavioral pediatrics, active video gaming for children with movement disorders and autism, and developmental disabilities. He serves as a reviewer for multiple journals including the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, and Translational Pediatrics. He has contributed chapters to textbooks including the American Academy of Pediatrics Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and Berkowitz' Pediatrics: A Primary Care Approach.

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Education

  • A.B. in Social Anthropology, Harvard University, 2002
  • M.D., Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, 2007
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Distinctions

  • Phi Beta Kappa, 2002
  • Hoopes Prize for Senior Thesis, 2002
  • John Harvard Scholarship, 1998-2002
  • Society for Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Research Symposium Scholarship, 2014
  • Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Top 25 Reviewer, 2013
  • American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Student Scholarship, 2013
  • Orange County Medical Association Physician of Excellence, 2021-2024
  • UCI Health Patient Experience Award, 2018
  • CHLA Quality Improvement Poster Session, Second Place, 2014
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Areas of Expertise

  • Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Management
  • Psychopharmacological Interventions
  • Developmental Screening Tools
  • Active Video Gaming Rehabilitation
  • Telehealth Behavioral Services
  • ADHD Pharmacologic Treatment

Recent Publications

  • Chung PJ, Grover G, “Breath Holding Spells”, Berkowitz' Pediatrics: A Primary Care Approach, 7th edition, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2024.
  • Grover G, Chung PJ, “Temper Tantrums”, Berkowitz' Pediatrics: A Primary Care Approach, 7th edition, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2024.
  • Anz RI, Chung PJ, “Animals as healers: A historical journey through the impact of animals on human health across the ages” (opens in new tab), Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care, vol. 53, no. 11, pp. 101476, 2023.
  • Ros-DeMarize R, Chung PJ, Stewart R, “Pediatric behavioral telehealth in the age of COVID-19: Brief evidence review and practice considerations” (opens in new tab), Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care, vol. 51, no. 1, pp. 100949, 2021.
  • Chung PJ, Patel DR, Nizami I, “Disorder of written expression and dysgraphia: definition, diagnosis, and management” (opens in new tab), Translational Pediatrics, vol. 9, no. Supplement 1, 2020.
  • Chung PJ, Trier K, Chan E, “Basics of Psychopharmacological Management”, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 2nd edition, AAP, pp. 545-574, 2018.
  • Chung PJ, “Book Review of Parental Alienation Syndrome: A Family Therapy and Collaborative Systems Approach to Amelioration”, Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, vol. 39, no. 7, pp. 572, 2018.
  • Chung PJ, Patel D, “Dysgraphia”, Int J Child Adolesc health, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 27-36, 2015.
  • Chung PJ, Vanderbilt DL, Schrager S, Nguyen E, Fowler E, “Active Video Gaming for Individuals with Severe Movement Disorders: Results From a Community Study”, Games for Health Journal, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 190-194, 2015.
  • Chung PJ, Vanderbilt DL, Soares N, “Social Behaviors and Active Video Game Play in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder”, Games for Health Journal, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 225-234, 2015.
  • Chung PJ, Baum R, Soares N, Chan E, “Introduction to Quality Improvement Part One: Defining the Problem, Making a Plan”, Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, vol. 35, no. 7, pp. 460-466, 2014.
  • Chung PJ, Vanderbilt D, “Book Review of Pediatric Neuropsychology: Medical Advances and Lifespan Outcomes”, Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, vol. 35, no. 7, pp. 459, 2014.
  • Chung PJ, Baum R, Soares N, Chan E, “Introduction to Quality Improvement Part Two: Making and Maintaining Change”, Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, vol. 35, no. 8, pp. 543-8, 2014.
  • Chung PJ, Soares N, “Book Review of Child and Adolescent Therapy: Cognitive-Behavioral Procedures (4th Edition)”, Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, vol. 34, no. 5, pp. 378, 2013.
  • Chung PJ, Soares N, “Childhood Depression: Recognition and Management”, Consultant for Pediatricians, vol. 11, pp. 259-267, 2012.
  • Lerner C, Chung PJ, “Continuity of Care in Fixed-Day Versus Variable-Day Resident Continuity Clinics”, Academic Pediatrics, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 119-23, 2010.
  • Delgado E, Doran M, Chung PJ, Lee P, “Attending Physician and Medical Student Perception of Medical Jargon in Bedside Presentations”, 2008. Presented at Society of Hospital Medicine 2008.
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Contact Information

Email: chungpj@uci.edu

Phone: (657) 579-4100

Address: 19200 Jamboree Rd., Suite 1100, Irvine, CA 92612

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This profile was created with the help of AI.

Last updated on 6/5/2026.