Assessment:
A primary focus of the training program is the development of clinical competencies in the assessment of autistic children. Fellows will have the opportunity to evaluate children of diverse ages, ranging from toddlerhood to early adulthood, and a wide range of developmental levels. Training includes comprehensive psychological testing utilizing a developmental, strengths-based approach as well as autism-focused diagnostic assessments using appropriate modules of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Second Edition. Clinical fellows work with members of other disciplines within the clinic including social work, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy in the context of inter-disciplinary team evaluations. Although some components of the assessment process may be provided virtually (e.g., parent feedback sessions), the administration of child testing measures is conducted onsite.
Intervention:
Supervised intervention experiences are focused on providing training in both behavioral and cognitive-behavioral treatment models. Behavioral therapy experiences include the delivery of empirically based parent training approaches to address disruptive behaviors such as aggression, elopement, and tantrums and to improve compliance and adaptive behaviors. Cognitive-behavioral treatment experiences target co-occurring psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, mood disturbance, emotional dysregulation, and adjustment disorders using a range of empirically based individual and group treatment models for older autistic children co-occurring cognitive and language delays. Fellows also have the opportunity to co-facilitate neurodiversity-affirming social intervention groups. Intervention services are currently offered either onsite or virtually dependent on the child’s and family’s needs and preferences.