AUSTIN, Texas—Dr. Margaret “Peg” Semrud-Clikeman, an award-winning professor in The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education, will become the new director of the School Psychology Program, which annually supplies doctorate-trained psychologists to school districts and research centers nationwide.
An expert in the treatment and diagnosis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), nonverbal learning disabilities and traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents, Semrud-Clikeman was awarded the prestigious Early Career Award by the National Academy of Neuropsychology two years ago.
Based in the Education College’s Department of Educational Psychology, Semrud-Clikeman will oversee the career paths of more than 60 Ph.D. students, 12 of whom are admitted yearly to the highly competitive, six-year program. Many are already conducting research in local Texas school districts on AD/HD, Asperger’s Disorder and other learning problems.
“We’re very proud of Peg Semrud-Clikeman,” said Dr. Ed Emmer, chair of the Educational Psychology Department. “You can sit in her office daily and watch the e-mails flood in from parents and researchers throughout Texas and nationally who want to know more about a child’s diagnosis and who have been attracted by her growing reputation.”
One of Semrud-Clikeman’s specializations, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, particularly concerns parents.
“AD/HD is a difficult disorder to diagnose,” she said. “There are no set laboratory tests to confirm such a diagnosis, which is completed through behavioral observations of the child’s parents and teachers.”
From three to five percent of all school-age children, with a gender ratio of 3:1 in favor of boys, experience the condition. At least two-thirds will continue with AD/HD symptoms into adulthood, interfering with academic, vocational and social functioning.
Semrud-Clikeman describes herself as a pediatric neuropsychologist, although her academic research now embraces the 8-to-15 age group.
For more information contact: Margaret Semrud-Clikeman, Department of Educational Psychology, 512-471-4407.
