NSU Horizons Spring 2014

8 HORIZONS challenging bringing up a child with autism spectrum disorder is for families. To see these families interact is one of the best learning experiences. Plus, we get to work with teachers, supervisors, and specialists. It is truly an interdisciplinary team.” Perez and her colleagues also receive training in the assessment and diagnosis of autism and related disorders in young children at the center’s Unicorn Children’s Foundation Clinic. “Here, students work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist to provide comprehensive psychodevelopmental eval- uations for diagnosis and assessment. It is extremely valuable train- ing,” said Leiderman. Perez also runs a parent support group. “This gives parents a place to get advice from professionals and speak with other parents of children who have developmental delays. Plus, it gives me a chance to work on something now that I will be doing in my own practice in the future,” she said. INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE Sonia Kay, Ph.D., registered and licensed occupational therapist and assistant professor, works with her graduate students in one of the classrooms at the Baudhuin Preschool. “The experience here is that our students are working with children on every continuum, from low-functioning to higher-functioning,” said Kay. In the class, Kay said, there are several children who receive occupational therapy services. “So we can match our students with those children. Our occupational therapy students learn about the kinds of services that they may have to provide as professionals in a school setting.” Kay said the experience is invaluable. “NSU graduate students learn techniques in class, and they can immediately take that NSU student Anne Marie Popgoshen, a second-year occupational therapy student, learns that, at the Mailman Segal Center, sometimes the classroom moves outdoors to the playground. The Family Center, the precursor to the Mailman Segal Institute, is established by Marilyn Segal. Wendy Masi, Ph.D., begins the Parent/Child Program. The Mailman Family Center building is established. 1975 1979 1980 1981 1983 The Family Center Preschool opens. NSU acquires the Fort Lauderdale Oral School, the predecessor to the Baudhuin Preschool, and moves it to Davie. Through the Years