At the recommendation of Dr White, David was recently awarded a position as a Fellow in UCL’s Institute of Healthcare Engineering (IHE) Impact Scheme. The IHE aims to bring together leading researchers to develop digital and medical technologies that transform lives across the globe and is composed of PhDs, postdocs, and principal investigators. Over the next year, the cohort intends on accelerating the impact of their research beyond the university’s walls by engaging policymakers, media, public, patient and community groups.
After serving two years as a constituency board member, David Ruttenberg was recently and unanimously elected as Chairman of the Board for Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (FAUCARD). CARD is the largest, state-based community-based program providing assistance and supports to more than 5,000 individuals and their families with autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities. Additionally, CARD serves supporting professionals, employers and the community through a Florida Legislature grant made possible through the Florida Department of Education. CARD provides free services and supports to eligible constituents throughout a massive five-county service area including Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie.
CARD serves individuals of any age, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Levels 1-3), Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), Rett Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), Dual Sensory Impairment or Deaf-Blind, and Sensory Impairment with another disabling condition.
CARD’s work centers on building the capacity of families, schools, businesses and other community agencies to better prepare and support people with autism and related disabilities. We address issues impacting people across their entire lifespan thru services including direct patient assistance, consultation and education within schools, agencies and communities, family training, professional development, and supporting businesses working with autistic individuals. You can learn more about CARD by clicking here .
In February 2021, Advance HE (formerly the British Professional Society known as the Higher Education Academy) rewarded David Ruttenberg with an Associate Fellowship.
Fellowship is awarded to professionals who demonstrate they meet the criteria of Descriptor 2 (D2) of the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) for teaching and supporting learning in higher education.
As a Fellow of HEA, David engages in a broad understanding of effective approaches to learning and teaching support as a key contribution to high quality student learning. At UCL, he demonstrates his personal and institutional commitment as both: (i) a Post Graduate Teaching Assistant and Guest Lecturer for UCL’s Institute of Education and Digital Media Master’s Programme, and (ii) a Content Developer for UCL’s EdD Programme.
There has been plenty of personnel changes in the DevDivLab this summer.
After nearly two years as a DevDivLab Research Assistant, we said so long to Malwina Dziwisz who is embarking on her next career with the NHS. Malwina joined the lab in 2018 with a particularly interest in cognitive functioning in children with congenital disorders and acquired illnesses, as well as their accompanying mental health. Malwina’s contributions were plentiful and she will be sorely missed.
Relatedly, DevDivLab hosted three summer students, Olivia Dziwisz, a second year medical student, and Mizuki Tojo and Begum Arin, both second year psychology students, and all of whom participated on Executive Function & Double Empathy Projects.
All of us at the DDL will miss you Malwina, Olivia, Mizuki and Begum and we wish you the very best in your future endeavours.
We’re delighted that David has been upgraded from MPhil to PhD with his “SensorAble Project: A multi-sensory, assistive technology that filters distractions and increases focus for individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Condition”. Congratulations David!
DevDivLab PhD student David Ruttenberg has been busy conveying, speaking and attending various conferences and workshops including the UCL Centre for Doctoral Education (CDE) Summer Conference 2020 as lead-off presenter for the SensorAble project. Additionally, the Centre for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) at Florida Atlantic University invited David to address their Board of Directors regarding SensorAble’s Participant Public Information study. Lastly, the Artificial Intelligence for Prostate Cancer (AI4PCa) – a joint workshop between the University of Toronto and UCL – invited David to present on “Artificial Intelligence and Decision Support for Cancer Patients”.
I do hope that this promotion helps emphasize the importance and stature of UCL’s work toward developmental diversity. It is an equally great “get” for the Centre for Doctoral Education, the Culture, Communication and Media department, the Knowledge Lab and UCL’s Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, and in particular, the Development Diversity Lab. I enjoy promoting our leaders and colleagues whenever and wherever possible. Congratulations to David and all at the DDL!
The National Institute for Health Research—UK’s largest funder of health and care research—recently awarded one of two grants to David Ruttenberg to carry out Patient Public Involvement (PPI) research for the SensorAble project on Adaptive Wearable Appropriateness as an Autistic intervention. This award is made possible through the generous support of the University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre. You can learn more about that SensorAble project here at the project website. Congratulations to David and all at the DDL!
On 8 November 2019, David participated as both a presenter and panelist discussing the importance of Early Intervention for medical practitioners, licensed therapists and educational specialists. Florida Atlantic University hosted the daylong event on the Jupiter, Florida campus.
On 4 July 2019, David gave a key-note address at the Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities Little Owl Programming event. Little Owls is an early intervention initiative that takes place over 3-days training parents, grandparents, and family members of infants, toddlers and preschoolers (18 months – 5 years old) who recently received an autism spectrum condition (ASC) or related diagnosis. David spoke of his own family’s experience when they received their daughter’s diagnosis almost 16 year ago. He addressed interventional initiatives currently provided by medical practitioners, therapists, district schools, state and federal government agencies. David also spoke briefly of his current research initiatives at UCL and answered questions from attendees.
