Project Description:
Professionals trained using an interdisciplinary approach have been shown to not only serve their clients better, but also work more efficiently and collaboratively with other team members. However, many universities do not use an interdisciplinary approach in training pre-service professionals. Hence, a need exists to develop more university courses using this approach. Following this evidence, a cross-disciplinary team developed a course using this approach. The first course--titled, Interdisciplinary Training in Autism and other Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities was launched in Fall 2019.
This course provides interdisciplinary leadership training to students in social work and other health professions on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other related disabilities. The course is modeled after the federally funded Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) programs which are offered across the country. Therefore, the course emphasizes core objectives from LEND to advance knowledge and skills in improving health care delivery for all children with developmental disabilities. Like LEND, this course will emphasize the importance of understanding the integration of services, developing community partnerships, and promoting innovative practices to enhance cultural competency, family-centered care, and interdisciplinary partnerships.
Goals/objectives: to increase the number of students across the UT-Austin campus to enroll
Unusual features: a truly multidisciplinary approach with representation of faculty across campus contributing to the lectures/training experiences
Expected Benefits: a better prepared work force (e.g., teachers, social workers, psychologists, etc) to collaboratively serve and meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families.
