Funded Projects

Goals and Objectives:

The proposed project will build the capacity of interdisciplinary team members in the delivery of services and supports to children with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disabilities (ASD/DD). The goal of this project is to strengthen public health systems by increasing the number of practitioners and policy makers with leadership skills necessary to deliver comprehensive, family-centered, community-based and culturally competent services to children with, or at risk for, ASD/DD and related disorders and their families. The trainees will be involved in activities to enhance knowledge, promote skill development in prevention, assessment, intervention, management, decision-making, planning, service coordination and advocacy, and develop critical inquiry and research strategies. Collaborative planning among Children's National Hospital, George Washington University, Howard University, Gallaudet University, University of the District of Columbia, Catholic University, community partners, and other academic programs will take place to build the capacity of service systems to provide services that reflects best practice through continuing education, consultation and technical assistance. LEND faculty will develop and implement a faculty and trainee development program that advances the role of cultural competence in teaching models, clinical skills, critical inquiry and research and advocacy for underserved and special populations. Collaboration with other universities in the region will focus on the infusion of principles of contemporary practices related to children with ASD/DD.

DC LEND will improve the health status of children in the DC metro area with ASD/DD through leadership training of individuals from a broad range of MCH disciplines and diverse backgrounds. In order to accomplish this, we put forth six goals:

1. Train and graduate diverse interdisciplinary professionals with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to recognize, diagnose, intervene with, advocate on behalf of, and develop policies in support of children with ASD/DD.
2. Develop and implement an interdisciplinary curriculum addressing the needs of LEND trainees, incorporating evidence-based, contemporary adult learning methodologies.
3. Serve as a "hub" for inter-institutional activities for the DC region establishing networks of learners, practitioners, and institutional leaders who interact with each other and the community.
4. Develop and manage a multilevel integrated evaluation system to ensure that the trainees and programmatic elements are monitored, objectives are met, and the program evolves over time
5. Affect health outcomes by generating, translating, and integrating knowledge about the needs of children with ASD/DD and their families in partnerships with the community.
6. Provide technology assistance and continuing education to community agencies and regional universities in the area of ASD/DD. All of these goals contribute to making this program successful in enhancing the number of providers who can work in an interdisciplinary manner and become leaders in the field of ADD/DD. We have also proposed a supplemental program to develop an ASD clinic for training adult healthcare providers/trainees that will enhance provider knowledge in care needs and increase provider self-efficacy and confidence.