What services are currently provided?
- If you think your child may have autism, an evaluation by a select team of specialists will be provided. This may include a pediatrician, nurse, psychiatrist, psychologist, speech/language pathologist, audiologist, social worker, or educational consultant.
- Development of a treatment plan that is individualized to meet your child’s needs, such as strategies for education, behavior management, social and communication goals, daily living skills, and medication management
- Evaluation and treatment of challenging behaviors (e.g., tantrums, aggression, self-injury)
- Evaluation and treatment of feeding difficulties and nutrition concerns is available when needed
- Services and resources for adults with autism or Asperger’s syndrome
- Help finding community resources near your home
- Help connecting families to educational services within their school districts
- Help finding other families and support systems within your community that have knowledge and experience with autism
- Workshops and training for parents and care providers
- Resource library where families can check out over 200 books and materials on ASD
What happens before my child’s appointment?
- Once the type of service(s) needed is determined by scheduling staff, your child will be scheduled with the appropriate clinic or team of specialists.
- These services may be provided in different clinics at UI Children’s Hospital:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic
- Pediatric Psychology Clinic
- Healy Clinic located in the Center for Disabilities and Development
- If your child requires multiple services during their visit, the Autism Center will help coordinate these services for you.
- Prior to your child’s visit, you will be asked to complete a parent questionnaire and several other forms. This information helps our teams better understand your child’s history and specific needs. This allows us to provide the best and most efficient evaluation for your child.
- Based on your child’s needs, you will be sent resources that identify steps you can take for your child and family prior to your child’s appointment.
What happens during my child’s appointment?
- Depending on your child’s needs, they may see a variety of specialists and service providers. This may include a pediatrician, speech therapist, audiologist, psychologist, psychiatrist, educational consultant, occupational therapist, physical therapist, nurse, or social worker.
- After you check-in for your appointment, you and your child will be introduced to one of the specialists who will be working with you that day. This person will explain who your child will be seeing that day, what your child will be doing, and what your day will look like.
- Your child will then see one of the team specialists. Each specialist may work with your child for 30 to 120 minutes depending on the age and needs of your child.
- Sometimes you will be asked to stay with your child while they are being evaluated by a specialist. Other times, you may be asked to observe or be interviewed by one of the other specialists while your child is working with a team member.
- After your child meets with each specialist, the specialist will discuss their findings with you, either individually or with the team.
- The team of specialists will share their recommendations for your child and answer any questions you may have.
- A follow-up plan or “next steps” will be discussed.
What happens after my child’s appointment?
Following your appointment, arrangements will be made to speak with you about your child’s progress, to answer questions, and problem solve as needed. If requested, our team will provide additional resources or intervention options.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Call our toll-free number: 1-855-842-8847 (855-UI-Autism).
Whom do I contact to learn more?
If you have questions about the Autism Center, contact us at 1-319-467-5658.