Advanced Autism Care for Primary Care Physicians
Project Description:
Need: In most cases of autism, there are comorbidities such as epilepsy or anxiety that compound the challenges of caring for these kids. Increasingly, primary care physicians are charged with providing a medical home for children with complex health needs. However, this shift in paradigm from a more tertiary care-centered focus back to primary care as the medical home presents challenges in terms of needing higher degrees of medical expertise and meeting needs in the face of limited resources. Increasing physician and health provider access to knowledge and specialty care expertise through webinars will facilitate the ability of the primary care physician to better provide the medical home for patients and family.
Description: A collaboration between the Pittsburgh ATN (Autism Treatment Network) and the Pittsburgh LEND Center. Webinar trainings will be created, focusing on the diagnostic medical work up for children with autism and the common comorbidity of epilepsy. The webinar trainings will have two versions, one designed for health professionals in the primary care setting, and one for parents and family members. The creation of the webinars will be a collaborative between Pittsburgh ATN/LEND, the Arc of Greater Pennsylvania, and ACHIEVA.
Plans include:
Curriculum Physician Program: Advanced Autism Care for Health Care Providers
Part 1: Diagnostic considerations: Genetics and autism
Part 2: Autism and Epilepsy
Curriculum Parent Program: Navigating the Medical System for Children with Autism
Core Function(s):
Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Health-Related Activities
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Mulit-County
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
