Saint Peter’s Children’s Hospital announced the appointment of Dr. Saidi Clemente as a new developmental pediatrics specialist. Bringing more than 20 years of clinical experience, Clemente will strengthen the hospital’s specialized care for children and adolescents facing autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other complex neurodevelopmental conditions.
Key highlights of Clemente’s expertise
- Dual Board Certifications: Clemente is board-certified in general pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics and in neurodevelopmental disabilities by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
- Advanced Diagnostic Skills: She is experienced with industry-standard assessment tools, including the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, second edition), and brings specialized expertise in psychotropic medication management.
- Multilingual Care: Fluent in both English and Spanish with a working familiarity in Portuguese, Dr. Clemente is uniquely positioned to serve a broad and diverse patient population in the region.
- Distinguished Background: Prior to joining Saint Peter’s, she served as an attending physician in Developmental Pediatrics at Goryeb Children’s Hospital, founded and directed the Developmental Pediatrics Division at Cohen Children’s Hospital at Staten Island University Hospital, and held leadership roles at Weill Cornell and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
Leadership perspectives
Dr. Siva Prasad Jonna, chair of the Department of Pediatrics and physician-in-chief of Saint Peter’s Children’s Hospital, highlighted the significance of the expansion:
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Clemente to our team. Her depth of experience in evaluating and treating children with autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental disorders, combined with her passion for medical education and her ability to serve Spanish-speaking families, makes her an invaluable addition to our pediatric program.”
Clemente emphasized the critical role of timely intervention:
“I am excited to join Saint Peter’s Children’s Hospital and to complement the comprehensive, compassionate care offered to children and their families in this community. Children who need developmental support thrive when they receive it early and consistently.”
Clemente joins Saint Peter’s Children’s Hospital as it operates under a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation awarded by The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This certification reflects specialized, autism-specific training across hospital staff to ensure supportive and accessible care environments.
Clemente earned her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, completed her pediatrics residency at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, and finished her fellowship in neurodevelopmental disabilities at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
