Introduction

1. The Toddler Team: Experiences of an interdisciplinary team for early identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders Jennifer Sharpless CCC-SLP, Teresa Anderson OTR-L, Melanie Pinkett Davis LCS-W, Anna Maria WilmsFloet MD Kennedy Krieger Institute, Center for Autism and Related Disorders Evaluation Process Introduction • Occupational Therapy (OT): • Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 • Infant and Toddler Sensory Profile • Mullen Scales of Early Learning (selected subtests) • Speech therapy( SLP) : • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 • Mullen Scales of Early Learning (selected subtests) • Developmental Pediatrics/Psychology: • Parent interview • Neurodevelopmental exam • Diagnostic formulation and feedback • Social Work: • Family assessment • Process feedback • Psycho-education • Resources • After the introduction of developmental screening guidelines to include targeted screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) (American Academy of Pediatrics 2006 Policy Statement) , increasing demand for evaluation of young children for ASD developed • In 2005 KKI –Center for Autism and Related Disorders developed interdisciplinary teams to evaluate young children. Interdisciplinary Teams • Team composition: • 2005 :Occupational therapist- Speech Language • Pathologist- Developmental Pediatrician • 2009: Psychology added • 2010: Social Work added • 2005: 1 team on as needed basis • 2012: 5 teams weekly Follow-up • Jump Start (led by SLP): 6 week parent training program for parents teaching social communication strategies (16 %) • Play with Me (led by OT): 6 week parent training program teaching play skills (12 %) • Developmental pediatrics follow-up (MD): establish continuity of care, examine diagnostic stability, comorbidity, guiding families (44.5 %) • Collaboration with Infants and Toddlers Programs Evaluation Preparation • Phone intake/interview • Parents complete background and history form prior to the visit • Families are scheduled for 2 or 3 day block of time (within one week). Research/Quality Improvement Team Collaboration • Annual Toddler Team retreat • Clinical research • Assessment of role of social work (IMFAR 2011) • Investigation of parental perception of child’s ASD evaluation (IMFAR 2011) • Enrollment in intervention studies at CARD • External records available in shared source available electronically • Team communication as evaluation progresses: team communication form