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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Mailman Segal Center Names Executive Director of Autism Institute
Susan Kabot, EdD, CCC-SLP Executive Director - Autism Institute at Nova Southeastern University
Susan Kabot, EdD, CCC-SLP, has been named the Executive Director of the Autism Institute at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). Kabot has spent the last 25 years at the university developing and directing programs for individuals with autism, their families, and the professionals who serve them. Her accomplishments include the development of pioneering programs including Starting Right, an early intervention service for children 18-to-36 months diagnosed with, or at risk for an autism spectrum disorder; the Baudhuin Preschool, providing an educational program for children 3-5 years of age with autism spectrum or related disorders in contract with the School Board of Broward County; the Autism Consortium, serving school districts throughout the country through in-service training and consultation; and graduate programs in the area of autism in collaboration with NSU’s Fischler School of Education.
Kabot has also served as the principal investigator on a number of research projects including, most recently, a Quality of Life grant, “Making the Museum of Discovery and Science Accessible to all,” in collaboration with the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science.
The Autism Institute serves as the vehicle for collaborative activities in the field of autism spectrum disorders at Nova Southeastern University. The first externally funded, investigator initiated, multidisciplinary clinical trial at the university, “Nutritional Intervention Using Supplementation with Cysteine-Rich Whey Protein Isolate (Immunocal ®) in Children with Autism: Effects in Core Areas of Behavior-A Randomized Double-Blind Study, is also the first collaborative research activity of the Institute. The lead investigator, Ana Maria Castejon, Ph.D., is an associate professor at NSU’s College of Pharmacy. This clinical research study is determining the usefulness of a nutritional supplement on preschool children demonstrating autistic behaviors. Professionals from the Mailman Segal Center for Human Development designed the protocol for the measurement of autism symptoms and perform the assessments with pediatricians from NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine completing medical examinations and evaluating medical records of the participants.
In Kabot’s executive director role, she also leads NSU’s Interdisciplinary Council for the Study of Autism. Forty university faculty and staff from 12 academic centers participate in bi-monthly meetings to share information, discuss scholarly activities, and collaborate on upcoming projects. These activities include the development of research, new academic programs in autism and related fields, educational and therapeutic programs and clinical services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders across the lifespan on our campus and in the community.