Lowcountry Autism Foundation names Susan Callahan as Executive Director

CHARLESTON, SC – Susan P. Callahan will take over as executive director of the Lowcountry Autism Foundation (LAF), Inc., based in Charleston at MUSC, in early January. In this role she will also serve as director of Family Support Services for the Center for Neuro-Developmental Medicine at MUSC Children’s Hospital.  Callahan will be guiding the organization through the expansion of direct neuro-developmental disorder services as LAF also provides free direct autism support services to children across coastal South Carolina not diagnosed or followed by MUSC.

Prior to joining the Lowcountry Autism Foundation, Callahan was a consultant with the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs-Autism Division where she was the lead evaluator and provided consultation and training services to families and educators.

“We’re so fortunate to have Susan Callahan as our new executive director. She brings a wealth of experience to the organization,” said Emily Zimmerman, newly named board president. “With LAF’s expanded service area and drive to find new ways to improve the lives of children with autism and their families, we hope to make an even bigger difference in 2015.”

Callahan’s graduate studies focused on behavior issues in early childhood, family dynamics, and autism spectrum disorder.  Additionally, as an intern she gained experience as a service coordination assistant at the South Carolina Autism Society. She also worked with the Team for Early Childhood Solutions and researched involvement of social workers in early intervention services in the state.

Callahan also interned with the USC School of Medicine’s Developmental Pediatric Clinic, working with physicians to develop behavior management plans, informational sessions on autism and counseling to families with newly diagnosed children.  Callahan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina, where she also earned her Masters in Social Work (MSW) degree.

The Lowcountry Autism foundation is a Family Support Services provider to MUSC’s Children’s Hospital, MUSC Hospital and to children throughout the lowcountry. Family Support Services is a key component to the continuum of care, which helps establish MUSC Health as a Certified Autism Friendly Hospital.

The Lowcountry Autism Foundation strives to remove barriers and increase access to early diagnosis and treatment services for individuals and families living with autism and related developmental disabilities. More information is available at www.lafinc.org.