Interdisciplinary Autism Evaluation Clinic:  Meeting the Needs of Children and their Families
Kari Couch Tanta, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Valley Medical Center Children’s Therapy, Renton, WA
ABSTRACT
The Interdisciplinary Autism Evaluation Clinic at Valley Medical Center was designed to provide a comprehensive and timely evaluation by an interdisciplinary team to children with suspected Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  The clinic was developed in response to a community need, indicating that children and families were encumbered by long waiting lists for appointments at tertiary medical centers and lack of communication between service providers. This program, which has been running for one year, has streamlined the process of diagnosis for children and families, enabling children to receive evaluation, diagnosis, and subsequent intervention in a single location.  Customer and community satisfaction information has been highly positive, resulting in clinic expansion.
INTERDISCIPLINARY AUTISM EVALUATION CLINIC SCHEDULE
Client #1: 7:45   a.m. Registration
8:00   a.m. Speech and Language Assessment (45 minutes)
8:45   a.m. Occupational Therapy Assessment (45 minutes)
9:30   a.m. Physician and Nurse Assessments (30 minutes)
10:00 a.m. Family Break (60 minutes)
10:30 a.m. Team Meeting (30 minutes)
11:00 a.m.   Family Meeting (30 minutes)
Client #2: 7:45   a.m. Registration
8:00   a.m. Occupational Therapy Assessment (45 minutes)
8:45   a.m. Speech and Language Assessment (45 minutes)
9:30   a.m. Family Break (30 minutes)
10:00 a.m. Physician and Nurse Assessments (30 minutes)
10:30 a.m. Family Break (60 minutes)
10:30 a.m.   Team Meeting (30 minutes)
11:30 a.m. Family Meeting (30 minutes)
CONCLUSIONS
Through the collaborative efforts of the Interdisciplinary Autism Evaluation Clinic Team, Valley Medical Center provided diagnostic services to 17 children and their families during the first year (refer to Figure 1).  The demographics of the client population were diverse, resulting in a range of resultant diagnoses and recommendations. Referrals to the clinic have been steadily increasing, and the clinic will expand to meet community needs.  Future plans also include an expansion of therapeutic offerings, based upon the clientele seen in the clinic.
 
THE PROBLEM
o1 in 1000 children nationally are diagnosed with an ASD (Bertrand et al, 2001);
oThe number of children diagnosed with an ASD in Washington State is on the rise;
oEarly diagnosis of ASDs is crucial for intervention planning (Filipek et al, 1999; 2000);
oChildren in Washington State often wait in excess of 6 months for a diagnostic evaluation;
oFamilies have requested services more quickly and conveniently.
THE CLINIC TEAM
o
oA Pediatrician
oAn Occupational Therapist
oA Speech-Language Pathologist
oA Registered Nurse
oA Clinical Lead
o
REFERENCES
Bertrand et al (2001).  Prevalence of autism in a United States population.  The Brick Township, New Jersey, investigation.  Pediatrics, 108, 1155-1161.
Filipek, P. A., et al (1999).  The screening and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders.  Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 29, 439-484.
Filipek, P. A., et al (2000).  Practice parameter:  Screening and diagnosis of autism.  Neurology, 55, 468-479.
Miller-Kuhaneck, H. (Ed.) (2004).  Autism:  A Comprehensive Occupational Therapy Approach, 2nd Edition.
 
 
CLINICAL ASSESSMENT METHODS
oAll assessment methods were chosen and/or developed based upon literature review and known best practices related to ASDs (Filipek et al, 1999; Miller-Kuhaneck, 2004);
oThe physician assessment includes interviews, physical and neurological examination;
oThe nursing assessment includes the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS) and Gilliam Asperger’s Disorder Scale (GADS), as well as school visit information;
oThe occupational therapy assessment includes the Short Sensory Profile and use of a clinic specific assessment protocol;
oThe speech pathology assessment includes a clinic specific assessment protocol.
oOther team members, assessment tools, and specialized examinations may be involved on a case-by-case basis.
o
Figure 1:  Demographic Information of Children Seen through the Interdisciplinary Autism Evaluation Clinic