Click here to load reader
Upload
trinhnga
View
217
Download
2
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Esther Ben-Itzchak
April, 2013
Esther Ben-Itzchak
15.12.1955 – Kfar-Saba, Israel
Civil service: 8.1973- 9.1974
Communication Disorders Department, Ariel University, 40700
17 Herzl St. Givat Shmuel, 54012
Tel: 03-5320827
Education
BA 1974-77 Tel Aviv University, School of Medicine: Communication
Disorders Department
MSc 1978-82 Technion, Haifa – Faculty of Medicine: Biology of Behavior
Department
Name of advisor: Prof. Hillel Pratt
Title of thesis: Electrophysiological correlates of the effect of
noise on the auditory system in a noise exposed population.
PhD 1996-2000 Bar-Ilan University, School of Education: Psychophysiological
Laboratory
Name of advisor: Prof. Harvey Babkoff
Title of thesis: Electophysiological correlates (ERPs) of visual
hemi-field stimulation using lexical decision paradigm
Post-Doc 2000-01 Psychophysics Lab, Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan
University
Professional courses
1
Year Hours
2011 8 Ethic in Research (GCP Clinical studies)
2005 40 Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) workshop, Autism
Center, Ann arbor University of Michigan
2003 40 Autism Diagnosis Interview (ADI) workshop, Autism Center,
Ann Arbor University of Michigan
1998 144 Teaching licenses for para-medical workers, Ministry of Education,
Israel
Employment History
Academic work
2013 Sabbatical guest of the Department of Speech and Hearing
Sciences, University of North Carolina
2007- Senior, Director of the Communication Disorders Department,
Ariel University
2001-07 Instructor, School of Education, Bar Ilan University
2001-02 Instructor, Department of Brain Sciences, Bar Ilan University
1993-2000 Teaching Assistant, School of Education, Bar Ilan University
Professional Activities
2011- Chairman of the Ethics Committee Ariel University
2007- Director of the Department of Communication
Disorders
Ariel University
2005–07 Establishing and preparing curriculum for the new
Department of Communication Disorders, School
of Health Sciences
Ariel University
Professional Functions Outside Universities
Clinical Work
2003- Speech Pathologist and Diagnostician, Autism Diagnostic
Center, Assaf Harofe Medical Center, Tzrifin, Israel
1985-2002 Speech-Language Pathologist, Child Developmental Center, Tel
Hashomer Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
2
1978-1984 Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist, Department of
Communication Disorders, Tel Hashomer Medical Center,
Ramat Gan, Israel
Significant Professional Consulting
Editor or member of editorial board of scientific or professional journal
Member of the editorial board of the "Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders" Journal
Reviewer for: "Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry", "Journal of Autism and
Developmental Disorders", "Israeli Scientific Foundation", "Research in Autism Spectrum
Disorders"; “Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities"
Membership in professional/scientific societies
International Society for Autism Research (INSAR)
Israeli Speech, Hearing and Language Association (ISHLA)
3
2003- Israeli Society For Autistic Children (ALUT) Professional Advisor for Early
Intervention programs
2011- Israeli Society For Autistic Children (ALUT) Member of the committee of the
Third Age of individuals with
autism
Educational activities
Present
Research seminar in speech and language BA Ariel University
Clinical integration in speech and language (jointly taught) BA Ariel University
Autism spectrum disorder – diagnosis and intervention BA Ariel University
The family of the child with special needs BA Ariel University
Clinical relationship (jointly taught) BA Ariel University
Clinical training BA Ariel University
Past
Typical development of communication in the young age BA Ariel University
Introduction to "communication disorders" BA Bar-Ilan University
Language disorders MA Bar-Ilan University
Event-related potential MA,
PhD
Bar-Ilan University
The family of the child with special needs BA Bar-Ilan University
Autism spectrum disorders BA Bar-Ilan University
Research seminar BA Bar-Ilan University
Research students
2011-12 Ram Mishaal Basic science work, Pediatrics, Tel Aviv University, In
collaboration with Dr. D. Zachor
2005-2008 Aviva Binet MA, School of Education, Bar Ilan University
2003-2006 Ilanit Zaig MA, School of Education, Bar Ilan University
2002-2004 Sara Leibovitch MA, School of Education, Bar Ilan University
4
Awards, Citations, Honors, Fellowships
1980,
1981
Studying scholarship Technion, Haifa
1996,
1999
Dean’s prize for excellent students Bar-Ilan University
1999 Excellent lecturer Bar-Ilan University
2000 Excellent lecturer
2003 Excellent lecturer
2005 Excellent lecturer (fourth place in the entire
university)
Bar-Ilan University
2008 Best research project presentation Israeli Child Development
Centers Annual Conference
2008 Top ten cited articles Research in Developmental
Disabilities Journal (2007)
2008 Top ten cited articles Research in Autism Spectrum
Disorders Journal (2007)
2012 Excellent lecturer Ariel University
RESEARCH GRANTS
2000 $3,000 Israeli Foundation
Trustee
PhD scholarship
2001 $60,000 Koret Grant for post-
doctoral
2003-05 $23,000 Israeli Foundation
Trustee
Phonological priming affects word
reading among normal and dyslexic
Hebrew readers: Behavioral and
electrophysiological evidence
2004-06 $10,000 Education Ministry Variables affecting outcome in
young children with autism
2007-09 $25,000 Dov Moran Infone
Chairman, CEO
Intervention outcome and variables
affecting outcome in very young
children with autism
5
2008 $5,000 Research Authority,
Ariel University
Center
Two year follow-up in young
children with autism
2009 $5,000 Research Authority,
Ariel University
Center
Pregnancy and birth risk in autism
spectrum disorders
2015 250,000$ Keren Kayemt
LeIsrael
Canada
Long-term follow-up study of young
children with autism spectrum
disorder: predictors and outcomes in
developmental, functional and
medical domains.
Scientific Publications
1. Pratt, H., Bliech, N., & Berliner, E (Ben-Itzchak). (1982). Short latency visual evoked
potentials in man. Electrophysiology and Clinical Neurophysiology, 82, 55-62.
2. Pratt, H., Ben-Itzcahk, E., & Atiass, J. (1984). Auditory potentials evoked by click not
filtered masking noise. Audiology, 23, 380-7.
3. Zachor, D. A., Eitan, D., & Ben Itzchak, E. (2003). Early intensive intervention for young
children with autism (1.5-3y) in a unique preschool setting – outcome after one year.
Pediatric Research. Vol. 55, 394A.
4. Ben Itzchak, E., Babkoff, H. & Faust, M. (2005) Event Related Potentials (ERP) and
behavioral measurements to verbal stimulation of visual fields, Cortex, 43(4), 511-23.
5. Ben Itzchak, E. & Zachor, D. (2007). The effects of intellectual functioning and autism
severity on early behavioral intervention for children with autism. Research in
Developmental Disabilities, 28 (3) 287- 303.
6. Zachor, D.A., Ben Itzchak, E., Rabinovitch, A., & E. Lahat, E. (2007). Change in autism core
symptoms. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorder. 1(4), 304-317.
7. Ben Itzchak, E ., Lahat, E., Burgin, R., Zachor, D. A. (2008). Cognitive, behavior and
intervention outcome in young children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities,
29(5), 447-58.
6
8. Ben Itzchak , E. & Zachor. D.A. (2009). Change in autism classification with early
intervention: predictors and outcomes. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3, 967-976.
9. Zachor, D.A., Ilanit, Z., & Ben Itzchak, E. (2010). Autism severity and motor abilities
correlates of imitation situations in children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in
Autism Spectrum Disorders, 4(3), 438-443.
10. Zachor, D.A. & Ben Itzchak, E. (2010). Treatment approach, autism severity and
intervention outcomes in young children. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 4(3), 425-
532.
11. Levy, Y., Ben Bashat, D., Ben Sira, L., Hendler, T., Ben Itzchak, E., Kronfeld-Duenias, V.,
Zachor, D. A. (2010). Abnormal white matter in language-related brain tracts in non-verbal
children with autism. International Journal of Child and Adolescent Health, 3(4):135-144.
12. Weinstein M, Ben-Sira L, Levy Y, Zachor DA, Ben-Itzhak E, Arzi M, Tarrasch R, Eksteine
PM,. Hendler T, Ben Bashat D. (2011). Abnormal white matter structure in young children
with autism. Human Brain Mapping 32(4):534–543.
13. Ben Itzchak, E. , & Zachor, D. A. (2011). Who benefit from early intervention in autism
spectrum disorder? Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders , 5 (1), 345-350.
14. Ben Itzchak, E. , Zachor, D.A. (2011). Advanced parental ages and low birth weight in autism
spectrum disorders - rates and effect on functioning. Research in Developmental Disabilities,
32(5), 1776-1781.
15. Chung, K.M., Jung, W., Yang, J., Ben-Itzchak E., Zachor, D. A., Furniss, F., Heyes, K.,
Matson, J. L., Kozlowski, A. M., Barker, A. A (2011). Cross Cultural Differences in
Challenging Behaviors of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: An International
Examination between Israel, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of
America. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders , 6(2), 881-889.
16. Zachor, D. A, Yang, J., Ben-Itzchak, E , Furniss F, Pegg E, Matson J. L, Horovitz M, Sipes
M, Chung K.-M, & Jung, W. (2011). Cross Cultural Differences in Comorbid Symptoms of
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: An International Examination between Israel,
South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. Developmental
Neurorehabilitation; 1-6.
17. Matson, J. L., Worley, J. A., Fodstad, J. C., Chung, K.-M., Suh, D., Jhin, H. K., Ben-Itzchak,
E., Zachor, D. A. & Furniss, F. (2011). A multinational study examining the cross cultural
differences in reported symptoms of autism spectrum disorders: Israel, South Korea, the
United Kingdom, and the United States of America. Research in Autism Disorders 5:1598-
1604.
7
18. Zachor, D. A & Ben-Itzchak, E. (2011). Assisted reproductive technology and risk for autism
spectrum disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32(6), 2950-2956.
19. Jacob, T., Ben-Itzchak, E., Raz, O. (2012). Stress among healthcare students – a cross
disciplinary perspective. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice.
20. Ben–Itzchak, E ., Ben-Shachar, S., & Zachor, A. D. (2013). Specific clinical phenotypes in
autism spectrum disorders are associated with gender representation. Autism Research, DOI:
10.1002/aur.1319
21. Ben–Itzchak, E ., & Zachor, A. D. (2013). Are special abilities in autism spectrum disorder
associated with a distinct clinical presentation? Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7,
1122-1128.
22. Zachor D.A. & Ben Itzchak, E. (2013) The relationship between clinical presentation and
unusual sensory interests in autism spectrum disorders. Journal of autism and Developmental
Disorders, 44(1), 229-235.
23. Zachor, D. A., Ben-Shachar, S., & Ben-Itzchak, E. (2013). Do risk factors for autism
spectrum disorders affect gender representation? Research in Autism spectrum Disorders, 7,
1397-1402.
24. Zachor D.A & Ben-Itzchak E. (2013). Autism spectrum disorders: birth, familial and child’s
risk factors. International Journal of Child health and Human Development, 6, 376.
25. Ben Itzchak, E , Shay Ben Shachar, & Zachor D.A. (2013). Specific phenotypes in autism
spectrum disorders are more prevalent in affected. International Journal of Child health and
Human Development, 6, 394.
26. Zachor D. A., Ben-Itzchak, E. & Mishaal R. A. (2013). Familial factors and child’s
symptomatology affecting the age of diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. International
Journal of Child health and Human Development, 6, 525.
27. Ben-Itzchak E., Watson L.R. & Zachor D.A. (2014). Cognitive ability is associated with
different outcome trajectories in autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism &
Developmental Disorders (JADD), 44 (9) , 2221-2229.
28. Mishaal, R. A.,1, Ben-Itzchak, E., 1 , Ditza A. Zachor. (1 The two first authors have equal
contribution to this manuscript) (2014). Age of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis is
associated with child’s variables and parental experience. Research in Autism Spectrum
Disorders, 8, 873–880.
29. Ben-Itzchak , E., Abutbul, S., Bela, H., Shai, T., Ditza A. (2016). Understanding One’s Own
Emotions in Cognitively-Able Preadolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of
Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1-9. DOI 10.1007/s10803-016-2769-6.
8
30. Ben-Itzchak , E., Zukerman, G., & Ditza A. (2016). Having Older Siblings is Associated
with Less Severe Social Communication Symptoms in Young Children with Autism
Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, DOI 10.1007/s10802-016-
0133-0
Chapters in collective volumes
1. Levy, Y., Ben Bashat, D., Ben Sira, L., Hendler, T., Ben Itzchak, E., Kronfeld-Duenias, V.,
Zachor, D. A. (2012) Abnormal white matter in language-related brain tracts in non-vernal
children with autism. Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder- Current Research Aspects.
D.A. Zachor & J. Merrick, Eds. (pp. 175-188). NY: Nova Biomedical.
2. Zachor D.A. & Ben Itzchak, E. (2012). Assisted reproductive technologies and risk for autism
spectrum disorder. In: "Advances in Reproductive Technology Research''. Chapter 4 141-154.
Publisher: New York: Nova Science.
3. Ben–Itzchak, E ., & Zachor, A. D. (2013). Parental Age, Birth Weight and Autism Spectrum
Disorders , In V. B. Patel, V. R. Preedy, & C. R. Martin, (Eds.) The Comprehensive Guide to
Autisma available: http://www.springerreference.com/docs/html/chapterdbid/331194.html
Presentation of papers at conferences/meetings
1. Ben-Itzchak, E., Babkoff, H. (2000). ERPs correlate to verbal stimulation of visual fields.
International conference on Psychology, Haifa University, Israel
2. Ben-Itzchak, E. (2004). Phonological priming affects word reading among normal and
dyslexic Hebrew readers – ERPs and behavioral correlates. School of Education, Bar Ilan
University and Education Ministry, Ramat Gan, Israel.
3. Zachor, D., Ben-Itzchak, E. (2004). Behavioral intervention outcome in young children
with autism. Neuro-pediatrics international conference, India.
4. Zachor, D, Ben-Itzchak, E.(2005). Variables affecting outcome in young children with
autism spectrum disorder after one year of intensive behavior intervention. The
International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), Boston, USA.
5. Ben-Itzchak, E. (2005). Autism – Up to date issues in autism diagnosis. Conference of the
Department of Occupational Therapy, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
9
6. Ben-Itzchak, E, Zachor, D. (2006). The effects of intellectual functioning and autism
severity on early behavioral intervention for children with autism. Alut Conference, Tel
Aviv, Israel.
7. Ben-Itzchak, E, Zachor, D. (2006). Intervention Outcome in young children with autism-
Developmental Eclectic vs. Applied Behavior Analysis approaches. Fourth International
Conference on developmental Disabilities- policy, practice and research, Beit Issie
Shapiro, Tel-Aviv, Israel
8. Zachor, D, Ben-Itzchak, E. (2007). Cognitive–behavioural correlates and their relations to
intervention outcome in young children with autism. The International Meeting for Autism
Research (IMFAR) meeting, Seattle, USA.
9. Ben-Itzchak, E, Zachor, D. (2007). Change in Core Autism Symptoms with Intervention -
Two Years Follow-up. Autism Europe- 8th international congress, Oslo, Norway.
10. Zachor, D, Ben-Itzchak, E. (2008). Predictors to outcome in intervention of young children
with autism. The International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) meeting, London,
UK.
11. Ben-Itzchak, E, Zachor, D. (2008). Variability in Intervention outcome in young children
with autism. The Israeli Child Development Association conference, Tel Aviv, Israel –
first best research prize.
12. Ben-Itzchak, E, Zachor, D. (2009). Change in autism classification with early intervention:
predictors and outcomes. The International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR)
meeting, Chicago, USA.
13. Ben-Itzchak, E, (2009). Variability in outcome after intervention in young children
with autism. The Israeli Speech Hearing and Language Association (ISHLA) Meeting, Tel
Aviv, Israel.
14. Zachor, D, Lahat, E., Ben-Itzchak, E. (2010). In vitro fertilization and prematurity are
prenatal risk factors associated with autism spectrum disorder but are not associated with
autism severity. The International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) meeting,
Philadelphia, USA.
15. Ben-Itzchak, E., Zachor, D. (2010). Male:Female ratio is related to autism spectrum
disorder in the family and to maternal age. The International Meeting for Autism Research
(IMFAR) meeting, Philadelphia, USA.
16. Tzaig, I., Ben-Itzchak, E., Zachor, D. (2010). Imitation abilities in children with ASD
correlate with autism severity but not with motor skills The International Meeting for
Autism Research (IMFAR) meeting, Philadelphia. USA, (2010).
10
17. Ben-Itzchak, E., Zachor, D. (2010). Who are the children that benefits more from early
intervention in autism spectrum disorders? Icare4autism international meeting, Jerusalem,
Israel.
18. Ben-Itzchak, E., Zachor, D. (2010). Male-female ratio is related to Autism Spectrum
Disorders in the family and to maternal age. IX International Congress Autism Europe,
Catania, Sicily, (2010).
19. Ben-Itzchak, E., Zachor, D. (2010). In vitro fertilization and prematurity are prenatal risk
factors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders. IX International Congress Autism
Europe, Catania, Sicily.
20. Binet, A., Ben-Itzchak, E., Zachor, D. (2010). Special abilities in children with ASD. The
Israeli Child Development Association conference, Jerusalem, Israel. (2010).
21. Ben-Itzchak, E., Tzaig, E., Zachor, D. (2010). Imitation abilities in children with ASD.
The Israeli Child Development Association conference, Jerusalem, Israel.
22. Zachor, D., Ben-Itzchak, E. (2010). Risk factors in ASD in an Israeli cohort. The Israeli
Child Development Association conference, Jerusalem, Israel.
23. Ben-Itzchak, E., Zachor, D. (2010). Male:Female ratio is related to autism spectrum
disorder in the family and to maternal age. The Israeli Child Development Association
conference (2010), Jerusalem, Israel.
24. Ben-Itzchak, E., Binet, E., Zachor, D. (2010). Children with autism spectrum disorders
with "special abilities" represent a unique clinical subgroup. The International Meeting for
Autism Research (IMFAR) meeting, San Diego, USA.
25. Zachor, D., Ben-Itzchak, E. (2011). Medical problems co-occur with autism spectrum
disorders and affect the clinical presentation. The International Meeting for Autism
Research (IMFAR) meeting, San Diego, USA.
26. Ben-Itzchak, E., Zachor, D. (2011). Birth, familial and child’s risk factors in autism
spectrum disorders. .Integrative Brain Science Center – Ariel (IBSCA). Ariel, Israel.
27. Ben-Itzchak, E., Zachor, D. (2012). Specific clinical phenotypes in autism spectrum
disorders are associated with gender representation. The International Meeting for Autism
Research (IMFAR) meeting, Toronto, Canada.
28. Ben-Itzchak, E., Zachor, D. (2012). Birth, familial and child risk factors in autism
spectrum disorder. The Israeli Speech Hearing and Language Association (ISHLA)
Meeting, Tel Aviv, Israel. Chairman of the Autism session
29. Ben-Itzchak, E., Zachor, D. (2012). Specific phenotypes in autism spectrum disorders are
more prevalent in affected females. The Gerry Schwartz and Heather Reisman 3rd
11
International Conference on Pediatric Chronic Diseases, Disability and Human
Development, Jerusalem, Israel.
30. Mishaal, R., Ben-Itzchak, E., Zachor, D. (2012). Familial factors and child’s
symptomatology affecting the age of diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. The Gerry
Schwartz and Heather Reisman 3rd International Conference on Pediatric Chronic
Diseases, Disability and Human Development. Jerusalem, Israel.
31. Ben-Itzchak, E., Zachor, D. (2012). Clinical phenotypes and gender in autism spectrum.
Israeli Child Development Centers annual conference. Dead Sea, Israel.
32. Zachor, D., Ben-Itzchak, E. (2013). Familial factors and child’s sympomatology affect the
age of diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. CHIPAK- The semi-annual Israeli Clinical
Pediatric Meeting. Tel Aviv, Israel.
33. Zachor, D., Ben-Itzchak, E. (2013). Unusual sensory interests in autism spectrum disorders
are associated with a more severe clinical presentation. The International Meeting for
Autism Research (IMFAR) meeting, San Sebastian, Spain.
Seminar presentations at universities and institutions
2013 Birth, familial and child’s risk factors in autism
spectrum disorders.
Department of Speech and Hearing
Sciences, University of North
Carolina
2005-13
(every year)
Autism spectrum disorders: definition, criteria
and cognitive theories
Behavioral Analysts Course- ALUT
2005-13
(every year)
Autism spectrum disorders: recent findings. For Social Workers; Work and
Welfare Ministry
2008-13
(every year)
Cognitive theories in autism spectrum disorders Levinsky College
2012 Language disorders in autism spectrum
disorders
For Psychologists; Health Ministry
2011 Autism spectrum disorders: recent findings For Speech and Language
Pathologists: "Mehuedet" Health
Services, Holon
2011 Cognitive theories in autism spectrum disorders Department of Communication
Disorders, Hadassah College,
Jerusalem
12
2011 Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders Department of Communication
Disorders, Hadassah College,
Jerusalem
2010 Cognitive theories in autism spectrum disorders Center for Educational Technology
2010 Autism spectrum disorders: prevalence, neuro-
biological findings and cognitive theories
Psychiatry Services, Israeli Defense
Forces
2009New horizons in autism diagnosis. Department of Communication
Disorders, Tel Aviv University
2001 Event-related potentials of visual hemi-field
stimulation
Cognitive Electrophysiology Lab.,
UCLA, San Diego, USA
1992 Specific language disorder and autism Department of Communication
Disorders, Tel Aviv University
Present Academic Activities
Research in progress: Five main research projects are now in process:
Subject Other participants Expected
date of
completionAutism severity and brain morphology correlation
in young children with autism spectrum disorders:
A tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) study.
Dr. D. Zachor, Tel Aviv
University; Dr. D. Ben-Bashat,
Tel Aviv University
2013
The effect of healthy siblings on children with
autism spectrum disorders
Dr. D. Zachor, Tel Aviv
University
2013
Long-term follow-up study in young children with
autism spectrum disorders: stability of diagnosis,
co-morbidities and predictors of outcome
Dr. D. Zachor, Tel Aviv
University
*ISF grant applied for
2016
Three years follow-up of university students
diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders
integrated in a special program.
2014
Assisted conception as a potential risk factor for
autism spectrum disorders
Dr. D. Zachor, Tel Aviv
University; S. Ben-Shachar,
Sourasky Medical Center, Tel
Aviv
2016
In vitro immune tests and response to Dr. B. Gezunthait, Hebrew 2015
13
mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in blood samples
from children with ASD
University; Dr. D. Zachor, Tel
Aviv University
14
Submitted for Publication
1. Mishaal R A, Ben-Itzchak E & Zachor A. Age of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis is associated with
child's symptoms severity and parental experience. Submitted to the Journal of Autism and
Developmental Disorders.
Research grant application on the topic "Long term follow up studyof patterns of changes in young
children with autism spectrum disorders: stability of diagnosis, co-morbidites and predictors of
outcome" to the Israel Science Foundation (ISF).
STATEMENT OF ACHIEVEMENTS
In the past six years I have invested the major part of my time in an effort to establish, develop,
expand and direct a new Department of Communication Disorders at Ariel University. This
included undertakings such as developing a completely new course syllabus, identifying and
recruiting a highly qualified teaching faculty and implementing the departmental vision,
philosophy and standards. Despite the multiple challenges, we have been able to establish a
dynamic and successful department with a strong culture of research productivity, excellent
teaching and superior training. Our program is highly coveted by candidate students, as
evidenced by an acceptance rate of 30% and our graduates are sought after by prospective
employers. Although this effort was labor intensive, it was also my priority to maintain and
advance my research program. I believe that my record is a testament to my ability to do so. In
the past 6 years since assuming directorship of the Department of Communication Disorders I
was the leading investigator in several projects focusing on the diagnosis and intervention for
young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as well as demographic-biological aspects
of this disorder. I have also joined several national and international research groups in this
field. During this period I published 19 peer-reviewed papers and authored 3 book invited
chapters. I believe this is excellent productivity in a very competitive field and look forward to
building on these achievements in the coming years.
15