Autism

You will gain high-demand skills to address this spectrum of complex neurobiological disorders that affect an estimated 1 in 68 children and that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called a “national public health crisis.”

Training in our medically-based Children’s Guild Foundation Autism Spectrum Disorder Center, you will be exposed to cutting-edge, family-focused and multidisciplinary approaches to diagnosis and treatment, including:

• a one-stop, team-based evaluation process whereby patients receive developmental, neurological and psychological assessments in one visit
• interprofessional team-based approaches to diagnosis and follow-up care/assessment planning
• the importance of early detection and services to childhood development
• the unique nature of autism and how each patient exhibits varying levels of strengths, symptoms and severity
• effects of autism on behavior, communication and social interaction, including repetitive behaviors or intense interests
• crucial patient and family support services, including parent groups, sessions for families of newly diagnosed patients and resources

You will be exposed to children with autism spectrum disorders from throughout the Western New York region, including urban and suburban areas.

• autism specialists
• medical director of autism center
• developmental/behavioral pediatrics specialist
• child psychologist
• clinical social worker
• nurse

You will see six patients per clinic. After each patient visit, you will participate in a case conference to determine whether the child fits autism spectrum disorder criteria and develop a follow-up care management plan.

1 module