Training Programs for Professionals: University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute - Improving the System of Support for Children with Autism through Interdisciplinary Leadership Training

E-mail | Web Site

Problem: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are not being diagnosed until they are 4-5 years old and there is evidence that diagnosis can be made at age 2. Parents frequently need to wait 9-13 months to get into diagnostic centers. These delays are unfortunate. Some children with autism can make rapid gains if identified early.

Goals and Objectives
Goal 1-Increase state, region, and national capacity to screen, diagnose, and rule-out an autism spectrum disorder before age 2. 
Objective 1.1:  Decrease the mean age of autism diagnosis from 5 years to 2 years in Kansas.
Objective 1.2:  Decrease the wait time for diagnosis in Kansas from 9 to 1 month. 

Goal 2-Train advanced students representing various disciplines to screen, diagnose, and rule-out autism. 
Objective 2.1:  Train five MCH long term funded graduate and postgraduate trainees per year.
Objective 2.2:  Train five intermediate trainees per year. 

Goal 3-Recruit trainees from a culturally diverse and rural setting.
Objective 3.1:  Recruit one long term trainee from culturally diverse background.
Objective 3.2:  Recruit one long term trainee per year living in a rural area.

Activities Under-Taken to Meet Project goals

1. Develop a curriculum in autism for graduate and post graduate trainees.
2. Place the curriculum on the web and combine it with Interactive TV practicum.
3. Develop activities to interest high school and community college students in autism.
4. Recruit trainees with emphasis on diversity and rural areas.

HP 2010 Objectives

1. Objective 16.23: Increase the proportion of territories and states that have service systems for children with special health care needs to 100 percent.
2. Objective 1.8: In the health professions, allied and associated health professions, and the nursing field, increase the proportion of all degrees awarded to members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.  
3. Goal 7-Educational and community-based programs: Increase the quality, availability, and effectiveness of educational and community-based programs to prevent disease, improve health and quality of life (Objectives 7.7 through 7.11)

Coordination: This project is an effort of parents, advocacy groups, and state agencies to develop action plans related to screening, diagnosing, and providing services to individuals with ASD.

Evaluation: The evaluation will include follow-up on trainees and whether they have assumed leadership positions in autism and whether we have built capacity to decrease the age of diagnosis to two.

Annotation: This project will build capacity to effectively screen, diagnose, and recommend validated practices for families of children with autism.