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- April is Autism Awareness Month, as intellectual disability disorder is on the rise
- English and Spanish speaking families can receive free evaluations, access to professional services more than four months sooner than other providers
(April 2023 – Allentown, Pennsylvania) Today, most children are not diagnosed with autism or being on the spectrum until after age four, even when developmental concerns are present during their toddler years. Why? The most significant barriers to early detection are a lack of access to qualified diagnostic professionals and long waiting lists. Easterseals Eastern Pennsylvania is working to change that through their virtual Autism Diagnostic Clinic.
The clinic uses a telehealth model with a psychologist and/or developmental nurse practitioner administering the evaluation via teleconference while guiding the parent through activities with the child in their home. Diagnosticians from either Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania or St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia are also online to observe. The team then collaborates to complete the assessment and provide the family with a same-day diagnosis.
By using a telehealth model, families have access to specialists in Philadelphia without having to travel for services and the child is evaluated in familiar surroundings. The wait time for an evaluation with Easterseals is less than eight months, while the average wait time through other clinics and hospitals is over one year. Easterseals also contracts bilingual clinicians, helping to reduce health inequities in traditionally underserved communities in Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, and Pike counties.
“The virtual model helps to reduce health inequities in traditionally underserved communities and builds on the foundation of the program’s primary purpose, which is to bridge the gap of accessibility in rural areas,” says Jill Glose, Vice President Clinical Services at Easterseals Eastern Pennsylvania. “Our partnerships with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, CHOP, and St. Christopher’s give us the leverage to solidify the services we offer at Easterseals. Their support and expertise enable us to continually improve our practices.”
Services are provided at no cost to families, thanks to funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The Autism Diagnostic Clinic has been recognized as an Emerging Practice for the early detection and intervention of autism by The Association for Maternal and Child Health Programs in their Innovation Hub. The program is being professionally evaluated by the AJ Drexel Autism Institute to measure its impact and effectiveness for replicability and sustainability.
To participate, children must be 18 months to three years old and receiving Early Intervention services. Children are referred to the clinic through Service Access & Management (SAM) or their county Birth to Three program. Call the CONNECT helpline at 1-800-692-7288 to be connected to your county Early Intervention program.
Visit easterseals.com/esep to learn more.
About Easterseals Eastern Pennsylvania
Easterseals Eastern Pennsylvania serves children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities, autism, and other social, sensory, and developmental disorders and their families through various programs designed to increase independence, maximize opportunities, minimize barriers, and enhance the quality of life. Throughout the Lehigh Valley, Berks County, and northeastern Pennsylvania, Easterseals fosters environments where everyone is included and empowered regardless of ability.
English Video:
https://vimeo.com/820587124?share=copy
Spanish Video:
https://vimeo.com/820583850?share=copy
Information provided to TVL by:
–ts PR & Event Planning
www.tseventplanning.com
