NSU Horizons Fall 2017

20 NSU HORIZONS home to NSU’s Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus for an evaluation. In the past several months, Jonathan has undergone intensive therapy at the clinic. The drive is worth it, Verlaan said, “because he’s finally eating. His attitude is vastly different. Today, after therapy, he took a piece of almond butter sandwich I made for him. I was just shocked.” The clinic—which helps families with concerns about the food volume or variety consumed by their children—is one of three clinics at the Mailman Segal Center for Human Development that Lesack directs. A development assessment clinic provides autism education and diag- nostic services. A third deals with challenging behaviors. The NSU Feeding Disorders Clinic is one of seven nationwide. The feeding clinic has garnered praise for its work and is in such demand that it now has a waiting list for services. Referrals come from gastrointestinal physicians, pediatricians, schools, social workers, and from Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities and the University of Miami-NSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. The UM-NSU center operates offices at NSU’s Fort Lauderdale/Davie and Miramar campuses. “I’ve been waiting for a program like this since he was two years old,” said the mother of a six-year-old son who is not on the autism spectrum. “Nobody has a program like this. I love the way Dr. Lesack does it. I watch through the two-way mirror. It’s amazing,” added the mother, who asked not to be identified. Like Jonathan, some children seen in the clinic are on the autism spectrum. They commonly have disordered feeding patterns, such as eating just from certain containers or only specific foods, such as macaroni and cheese, and often only one brand. Those without the diagnosis may refuse food because they are dependent on a feeding tube or formula and not getting enough nutrients from actual food or are not eating a variety of food, said Lesack. “Their weight can be fine,” she said. “But, there could be significant nutritional deficits impeding adequate growth and development.” PROGRAM TRAINS FUTURE CLINICIANS The clinics offer two service levels. Outpatient services offer 45-minute weekly appointments, which are often covered by insurance. Intensive outpatient services are for children who are “really struggling” to get off Roseanne Lesack, left, says one aspect of her job she finds most meaningful is helping parents with the stress and desperation they feel. Lesack uses toys as she gradually introduces children to different foods.