Jean M Novak

Dr. Jean M Novak is a Professor of Communicative Disorders at San Jose State University (SJSU), where she served as the first Department Chair of the Communicative Disorders & Sciences Department. She specializes in clinical supervision of graduate students in speech pathology clinics and directs the Bilingual Toddler and Preschool Screening Project, funded by the Autism Tree Project Foundation. Her expertise spans autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, and multicultural communication, with a focus on bilingual children and families. She holds a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley (1991) and is a licensed Speech Pathologist in California since 1982.

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy, UC Berkeley, 1991
• Certificate of Clinical Competence (SLP-CCC), 1982

Research Interests:

• Early identification of speech/language disorders in bilingual children
• Cultural considerations in diagnostic screenings
• Multidisciplinary approaches to developmental disabilities
• Autism spectrum disorder intervention strategies
• Ethnic dance as cultural expression (via her former dance company)

Professional Engagement:

• Consultant at clinics across Central Europe
• Presenter at international conferences in Poland, Egypt, Saudi Arabia
• Author of multicultural monograph series for SJSU College of Education

Grants & Projects:

• Bilingual Toddler Screening Project (Autism Tree Foundation)
• Guidelines for Auditory Processing Disorders (CSHA)