25-26 Availability
DESCRIPTION
This elective provides an opportunity to gain experience and familiarity with people with neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorder, and genetic conditions through a 4-month commitment for assessment training as part of our comprehensive assessment team (also involves presenting at our multidisciplinary case conference) or a 6-month commitment for treatment cases—group treatment and/or individual treatments. Caseload can be discussed and tailored to the needs of the trainee.
DAY, TIME AND LOCATION:
Day, time and location in 300 Medical Plaza vary depending on options chosen
HOURS PER WEEK:
• Assessment: 6 hours in total; 4-month rotation:
Conduct assessment in the morning for one day on either Mon, Tue, Wed, or Fri, 9-12 AM. Attend multidisciplinary team case conference on Thursday from 11:30 to 12:30 PM for (1 hour) to present your case. 1 hour for report writing. 1 hour for supervision.
• Treatment: 3.5 hours in total (maximum); 6-month rotation for individual therapy and 4-month rotation for group therapy. Treatment occurs in the afternoon and the day of the week varies each rotation.
1 hour for individual therapy or 1.5 hours for group therapy. 1 hour for supervision. 1 hour for collateral contacts.
Group treatments include:
(1) Teens with ASD coping skills group (16 sessions, 4-5:30 PM)
(2) Parent Support Group: Education and Support Group for Parents of Children Recently Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (8 sessions, 4-5 PM)
(3) Enhancing independence group for young adults with ASD (16 sessions, 4-5:30 PM)
Individual therapy is scheduled in the afternoon depending on availability of family, trainee, and supervisor.
DURATION OF ELECTIVE: Flexible, 4 – 6 months
FACULTY AND STAFF:
Amanda Gulsrud, Ph.D.
Nicole McDonald, Ph.D.
Patricia Renno, PhD
Medical Director: Benjamin Schneider, M.D.
TRAINING PROVIDED:
Assessment: The CAN Clinic provides multidisciplinary assessment and consultation in a collaborative environment to evaluate complex cases of individuals (e.g., co-occurring medical or psychological conditions) with ASD, related neurodevelopmental, or genetic conditions across the ages from young children to adults. The team consists of clinical psychologists, child and adolescent psychiatrists, and child neurologists with additional professionals in the field to consult as necessary. Assessments are based on best practice standards and incorporating diagnostic and treatment considerations based on current research in the field. Trainees will work with individuals and their families in a number of capacities such as conducting intakes and providing feedbacks. Assessments include cognitive, diagnostic (this may include autism diagnostic measures such as the ADOS-2), neuropsychological, achievement, projective, and interpreting informant reports.
Treatment: Training in treatments that are based on evidence-based practices (e.g., CBT, social skills treatments, and naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions) in individuals with ASD is available. Treatments are provided in individual format with parent-training components. The range of presenting issues includes co-occurring emotion regulation difficulties (e.g., comorbid anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns) and ASD related symptoms (e.g., rigid thinking, social skills impairments), as well as the overlap between these two areas.
The following opportunities for group-based treatments are also available:
• Enhancing Independence for Young Adults Group (16 sessions). For young adults with ASD to enhance their daily living skills in the home and the community in a group format.
• Parent Support Group: Education and Support Group for Parents of Children Recently Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (8 sessions). An 8-week education series for parents of children recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This group is designed to both inform and support parents in learning about ASD, evidence-based strategies and interventions, and navigating pertinent community resources.
• Teen Coping Skills Group (16 sessions). For adolescents with autism spectrum disorder with intact verbal abilities experiencing depression and/or anxiety.
DIVERSITY TRAINING: The CAN Clinic serves clients from diverse racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds. Families visit the clinic from the local community, as well as distant national and international locations. Trainees are provided with opportunities to work with clients who vary in age, gender, family composition, presenting problem, and language and cultural background. Multicultural training, including discussion of the presentation of ASD and developmental disabilities in different cultural and family contexts, is integrated throughout the training year. During individual supervision, trainees are encouraged to consider cultural, developmental, and familial factors that may be contributing to the client’s presentation, as well as the impact of the trainee’s own multicultural identity in their response to families. Specific guidance is provided in how to sensitively communicate assessment results, diagnoses, and recommendations to families from diverse backgrounds. In addition, discussions during multidisciplinary team case conference presentations and supervision routinely take into account issues of diversity and cultural considerations. Didactic lessons on these issues are also provided (e.g., gender diversity), and training and experience in working with interpreters is available.
SUPERVISION PROVIDED:
Method of Supervision: Direct Observation, Videotape and Case Presentation
Format: Individual and Group
Hours Per Week: 3-6 Hours per week depending on evaluation or therapy focus (1 hour of individual, 1 hour of group)
Days and Times: Flexible M-F 9 AM – 5 PM
Names of Supervisor(s): Patricia Renno, PhD, Nicole McDonald, PhD, Amanda Gulsrud, PhD