Suzanne Goh, MD, BCBA, is a board-certified pediatric behavioral neurologist, behavioral analyst, neuroscience researcher, and author. She has dedicated her career to researching and developing therapies for neurological conditions that impact childhood brain development. Specializing in the treatment of autism, she is the founder of Cortica, and creator of the Cortica Care Model.

Background

Suzanne Goh was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Harvard University where she received her Bachelors of Arts degree, summa cum laude, in History and Science (1993-1997). She went on to attend Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar (1997-1999). In 2004, she graduated from Harvard Medical School, cum laude. Dr. Goh completed her Pediatrics Internship at Massachusetts General Hospital and her Pediatric Neurology Residency at University of California San Francisco.

Autism Researcher

Dr. Goh completed a postdoctoral Autism Research Fellowship in the Pediatric Brain Imaging Laboratory at Columbia University. She went on to serve as a member of the faculty at Columbia University, as Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, with joint appointments in the Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Dr. Goh’s research has focused on mitochondrial and other metabolic features in autism. Through brain imaging studies (Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy), she has identified unique aspects of neural circuitry and brain chemistry in autism. Her research has led to publications in leading neuroscience journals, including Neurology, Annals of Neurology, Pediatric Neurology, & Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology.

Leader and Educator

‍At Columbia, Dr. Goh served as Co-Director of the Developmental Neuropsychiatry Clinic for Autism and Related Disorders where she led a multi-disciplinary team of physicians and psychologists specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of autism.

Dr. Goh is a faculty member of the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs, where she instructs physicians and other medical professionals from around the globe in best practices for the neurological care of autism and related conditions. She is a frequent speaker for parent advocacy organizations, including TACA and AutismOne. She has taught undergraduate and graduate students at Harvard University, Columbia University, and the University of California, San Francisco.

‍Author

In 2024, she published the book Magnificent Minds. Demystifying a wide range of diagnostics and therapies and offering new insights into the neurological, biochemical, behavioral, and social factors that play a role in successful outcomes, the book is an essential resource for understanding all of autism—a strengths-based approach that helps parents design a comprehensive treatment plan. It is also a celebration of what each autistic person brings to the world—and how parents can best nurture the remarkable uniqueness of their child while setting them up for the future they envision.

‍Creator of the Cortica Care Model

‍The Cortica Care Model is the culmination of Dr. Goh's research experience and clinical practice. This innovative approach combines optimal biomedical treatment with the most effective strategies for advancing cognition, communication, and behavior. Through the program, children achieve more meaningful social interaction, greater capacity for self-regulation, enhanced cognitive function, and improved overall health across all body systems. Over months and years, the treatment program evolves to match a child's new skills and abilities, making possible meaningful progress toward independent living, social relationships, occupation, and recreation.

List of Peer-Reviewed Publications:

1. O’Neill J, Bansal R, Goh S, Rodie M, Sawardekar S, Peterson BS. Parsing the Heterogeneity of Brain Metabolic Disturbances in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biol Psychiatry. 2020;87(2):174-184.

2. Peterson BS, Zargarian A, Peterson JB, Goh S, Sawardekar S, Williams SCR, Lythgoe DJ, Zelaya FO, Bansal R. Hyperperfusion of Frontal White and Subcortical Gray Matter in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biological Psychiatry. 2019;85(7):584-595.

3. Naviaux R, Curtis B, Li K, Naviaux J, Taylor Bright A, Reiner G, Westerfield M, Goh S, Alaynick W, Wang L, Capparelli E, Adams C, Sun J, Jain S, He F, Arellano D, Mash L, Chukoskie L, Lincoln A, Townsend J. Low-dose suramin in autism spectrum disorder: a small, phase I/II, randomized clinical trial. Ann Clin Trans Neurol. 2017 doi:10.1002/acn3.424.

4. Denisova K, Zhao G, Wang Z, Goh S, Huo Y, Peterson BS. Cortical Interactions During the Resolution of Information Processing Demands in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Brain Behav. 2016;7(2):e00596.

5. Tseng A, Wang Z, Huo Y, Goh S, Russell JA, Peterson BS. Differences in neural activity when processing emotional arousal and valence in autism spectrum disorders. Hum Brain Mapp. 2016;37(2):443-61.

6. Tseng A, Bansal R, Liu J, Gerber AJ, Goh S, Posner J, Colibazzi T, Algermissen M, Chiang IC, Russell JA, Peterson BS. Using the circumplex model of affect to study valence and arousal ratins of emotional faces by children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 2014;44(6):1332-46.

7. Goh S, Dong Z, Zhang Y, DiMauro S, Peterson BS. Mitochondrial Dysfunction as a Neurobiological Subtype of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence from brain imaging. JAMA Psychiatry. 2014;71(6):665-71.

8. Tseng A, Bansal R, Liu J, Gerber AJ, Goh S, Posner J, Colibazzi T, Algermissen M, Chiang I, Russell JA, Peterson BS. Using the Circumplex Model of Affect to Study Valence and Arousal Ratings of Emotional Faces by Children and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2014;44(6):1332-46.

9. Goh S, Whitaker A, Feldman J, Cull MB, Hoyte K, Algermissen M, McSwiggan-Hardin M, Kugelmass D, Pegerson BS. Teaching Nonverbal Children with Autistic Disorder to Read and Write: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities. 2013;59(2):95-107.

10. Goh S, Bansal R, Xu D, Hao X, Liu J, Peterson BS. Neuroanatomical Correlates of Intellectual Ability Across the Life Span. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience. 2011;1(3):305-312.

11. Goh S, Bottrell C, Aiken A, Dillon W, Wu Y. Presyrinx in Children with Chiari Malformations. Neurology 2008;71(5):351-356.

12. Goh S, Kwiatkowski D, Dorer DJ, Thiele EA. Infantile spasms and intellectual outcomes in children with tuberous sclerosis complex. Neurology 2005;65:235-238.

13. Doherty C, Goh S (co-first author), Poussaint TY, N Erdag, Thiele EA. Prognostic significance of tuber count and location in tuberous sclerosis complex. Journal of Child Neurology 2005;20:837-841.

14. Goh S, Butler W, Thiele EA. Subependymal giant cell tumors in tuberous sclerosis complex. Neurology 2004;63:1457-1461.