Project Description:
UDEDD: PR Autism Center Description:
Need
An special concern to all in America is the prevalence of children with autism. All through United States the estimated rates of children with ASD is 1/88. The CDC stated that by current standards ASD is the second most common serious developmental disability after mental retardation. This finding is an urgent public health concern and urged us to do all we can to identify these children and their needs as early as possible to assure them to reach their full potential. At present ASD is considered the fastest growing developmental disability in the United Sates. ASD and an early diagnosis and intervention can reduce significantly the life long cost of the condition to the family well been and the country.
The PRUCEDD collaborated with the school of public Health in the Autism Prevalence Study for service Planning and Delivery. Result showed prevalence of autism in Puerto Rico for Children 4 - 17 years old is 1 in 62, one of the highest in comparing these numbers with some states in the United States.
PR Autism Diagnostic and intervention Center Approach
Goals
The goals of the PRADIC is to provide the regional Health Area of San Juan (5 municipalities) high quality, evidence-based diagnosis, evaluation, intervention and associated services such as child and family supports and transition services, that are coordinated with other services that children and youth with autism and their families are receiving or will received. another goal is to serve as a model for the development of other autism service in Puerto Rico.
Objectives
The PRADIC objectives for the child with autism are to:
1. HAve a program plan with clear goals that is based on the child's strengths and needs;
2. Receive evidence-based intensive short term intervention, where appropiate;
3. Make a smooth and effective transition into school programs and /or other community services; and
The objectives of the PRADIC services are to:
1. Deliver a range ofservices including Child and family supports, intensive short term intervention and transition support services that are responsive to the child's assessed needs within a family centered model;
2. Enhance capacity within the system of the community to provide effective, evidence-base intervention to children with autism, including local training of therapists;
3. Develop effective links with other services and supports so that children with autism and their families have access to service coordination, information, and other appropriate services;and
4. Develop capacity in others (family members, community services, volunteers and paraprofessionals) to provide appropriate interventions that support services received in the PRADIC Autism.
5. Develop a state of the art and evidence based training center for interdisciplinary trainees to gain knowledge and skill in screening, diagnostic and intervention with children of autism and their families.
6. Develop a strong research base services PRADIC will generate new knowledge and translated knowledge learn through autism research into best practices to enable parents, policy makers and service providres to make better informed decisions.
Program Components(features)
The Autism Center will operate within the geographic boundaries of San Juan, Toa Baja, Guaynabo, Bayamon, Loiza and Carolina. The Center may provide, as appropriated for the child and family, the following:
1. Assessment to confirm or get a diagnosis in coordination with the children pediatrician or family physician.
2. Child and Family support services;
3. Interdisciplinary assessment to determine level of intervention service needed;
4. Development of a program plan for children and youth
5. Delivery of short term intensive intervention based on best practices, if needed and
6. Transition planning and transition supports for children discharged from the center to other community or school program.
Expected Benefits
A comprehensive, family service model of service shall deliver services that:
1. Are a direct service to the child
2. Have a level of service determined by a clinical assessment offered by an interdisciplinary team;
3. Are delivered by trained staff ussing a clinical and/or curriculum designed to meet the child's clinically determinated goals;
4. Involve parents/caregivers directly in the childs program andd teach them to supplement the program at home(when possible and appropriate) and when appropriate, use
a. Discrete training in one-to-one structured programing;
b. Small group instruction
c. Activity-based learning;and
d. Incidental teaching
5.Develop attainable goals from thorough assessment
6. individualize programs to reflect child's developmental level, strengths and needs;
7.Enhance parental capacity through parent training and inclusion in the service delivery as a team member.
8. Plan for and support the transition to other natural environment sttings, such as child care or preschool or school
9. Coordinate and integrate with other services the child or family may need; and
10. Are sensitive to the parents; values and preferences, cultural context, and language.
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, General Public
