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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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

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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

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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.

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