Savannah Gluck(she/her)
My research interests are focused on early indicators that may lead to an autism diagnosis, including sensory processing and communication differences. I am particularly interested in strengths-based parent education in relationship to screening, diagnosis, and early-intervention. As a research assistant in the Innovations in Neurodevelopmental Sensory Processing Research (insp!re) lab, I am working on a project that will use Respiratory Sinus Arrythmia (RSA) levels of both infants and caregivers to measure parent engagement and synchrony during early occupations (such as play, sleep, feeding, etc).
Prior to my time as a PhD student, I worked clinically as an occupational therapist in schools and for California Children’s Services for 4 years. During this time, I identified a need for more understanding of the parent and child relationship and how this impacts early occupation and development in young children with neurodevelopmental disorders. I am eager to explore this relationship, among many others, under the guidance of Dr. Baranek.
Education
Master of Arts (MA)
in Occupational Therapy
2018 | St. Ambrose University
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
in Psychology
2017 | St. Ambrose University
Selected Publications
Sopkin, E., Teague, L., Gluck, S., Koenke, B., & Baranek, G. T. (2025). Occupational therapists’ perspectives on screening for autism in early intervention. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2025.2455623 Show abstract
Early signs of autism can be identified in children as young as 6–9 months; however, screening tools to identify characteristics of autism in young children are underutilized by pediatricians. This qualitative study aimed to 1) understand the role of occupational therapists (OTs) in early intervention teams when identifying and intervening with infants and toddlers demonstrating early markers of autism, and 2) determine the readiness and capability of OTs within early intervention to utilize autism screening tools in practice. Two semi-structured 90-minute focus groups were conducted with 13 OTs with current or past work experience in early intervention settings across Los Angeles, California. Participants expressed pride in their versatile role on early intervention teams; however, they had mixed feelings about the value of formal autism screening. Even when they were confident about their ability to detect early autism signs, participants cited numerous barriers related to knowledge of screening, stigma related to autism, and reliance on other providers such as pediatricians. These qualitative findings illuminate a need for mitigating expressed barriers to service delivery, bolstering education on screening procedures, and capitalizing on the adaptability of OTs in early intervention practice in order to advance the role of OTs in initiating the early autism screening process.
Keywords. Early intervention; screening; autism; occupational therapy; practitioner perspectives
Gluck, S., & Angell, A. M. (2025). Mothering a child with Down syndrome in 1950s America: A familial autoethnography. Disability & Society. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2025.2458008 Show abstract
This study drew on familial autoethnographic and narrative methodologies to analyze the lived experiences of a mother (Ruth), the first author’s grandmother, situated within the cultural and societal context of 1950s America, to understand the choice she made at that time to care for her son with Down syndrome rather than place him in an institution. This study sought to better understand the contextual factors that influenced this mother to make decisions outside of her cultural contexts, while also recognizing the cultural and personal factors that may support or enable such decisions. We then discuss how such factors may be relevant for contemporary contexts.
Keywords. Disability; lived experiences; narrative; familial autoethnography; motherhood; cultural context
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