MENTALHEALTH
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Autism: A multidisciplinary approach BY CRYSTAL COLLETTE, MS, BCBA, LBA MANAGER, AUTISM SERVICES
Recognizing ASD
BY TERESA BRENNAN, M.D. DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRICIAN
Why was “the Baptist” lit up blue? SEE THE LAST PAGE FOR DETAILS
JULY 2016
A multidisciplinary approach BY CRYSTAL COLLETTE, MS, BCBA, LBA MANAGER, AUTISM SERVICES
T
he prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is skyrocketing. Considered the fastest growing developmental disability, ASD in American children ages 3 to 17 has increased almost 120 percent from one in 150 in the year 2000 to one in 68 in 2014.
Research confirms that the earlier these children have access to treatment, the more likely they are to progress. Advancements in the field also show that children with ASD and their families see even greater benefits when there is a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. This approach enables continuity of care, resulting in more rapid progression by the patient and a complete toolbox of strategies for the family.
Highly trained professionals provide diagnostic evaluations, medication management, therapy and specialized parental training and support — all under the same roof. Multidisciplinary teams can consist of a psychiatrist, psychologist, behavior analyst, behavior technician, speech therapist, occupational therapist, individual and family therapists as well as the child’s parent(s) or guardian. Working together, they create and implement comprehensive, individualized treatment plans that help patients make developmental improvements more rapidly in key functioning areas. Various tools are used to assess and diagnose ASD across age, developmental level and language skills. After a child is diagnosed, each team member involved continued on next page
in the patient’s care develops a datadriven, goal-oriented plan of care. Parents are a critical and integral part of the team receiving training and having regular contact with the providers. Because ASD is a lifetime challenge, some type of therapy is involved throughout childhood, adolescence and often adulthood. Treatment often includes Applied Behavioral Analysis, which employs positive learning techniques and principles to address socially important problems and to bring about positive changes in behavior. ABA techniques help develop basic skills, such as listening, watching, imitating and more complex skills including reading, talking and understanding others. ABA also incorporates verbal behavior, in which
Save the Date!
Saturday, April 29, 2017
AUTISM RESOURCE & FUN FAIR Pearson Cancer Center Lynchburg, VA For more information, email: jill.goughnour@centrahealth.com
language is broken down into functional categories and systematically taught to children who are missing those skills. With the increased need for effective treatment, the multidisciplinary approach offers the benefit of coordinated services to best address the needs of child and family. Multidisciplinary teams can consist of a psychiatrist, psychologist, behavior analyst, behavior technician, speech therapist, occupational therapist, individual and family therapists as well as the child’s parent(s) or guardian. Working together, they create and implement comprehensive, individualized treatment plans that help patients make developmental improvements more rapidly in key functioning areas.
Introducing Dr. Brennan and Baxter Black
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eresa Brennan, M.D., has joined the Centra Autism & Developmental Center. Dr. Brennan specializes in developmental pediatrics, helping children and their parents overcome developmental, learning and behavioral challenges. She is working with Jitendra Annapareddy, M.D., child and adolescent psychiatrist and director of the center, who provides assessment and treatment for autism spectrum and other disorders. This partnership offers seamless services with Dr. Brennan seeing preemies up to age 3, and Dr. Annapareddy seeing children age 3 and older. Dr. Brennan most recently ran the Developmental Pediatric Clinic, a division of
Baxter Black,
Dr Brennan’s Labrador Retriever, carries a Centra ID and accompanies her to work. He is certified by Therapy Dogs International and has earned the Canine Good Citizenship Certification. Born in 2009, he has been a therapy dog since 2012. “His presence is calming and relaxing, and he puts a lot of children at ease,� said Dr. Brennan.
Medical Associates of Central Virginia. Dr. Brennan will continue to see patients on Thursdays at the pediatric neurodevelopment clinic, a specialty outpatient clinic at Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital. Dr. Brennan is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. She received her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University, where she completed her pediatric internship and residency. She also completed a Robert Wood Johnson fellowship in general pediatrics at Duke University and a fellowship in neurodevelopmental disabilities at the University of Virginia.
Recognizing ASD
BY TERESA BRENNAN, M.D., DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRICIAN
W
ith the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) at an all-time high, parents and caregivers should be alert to the signs and symptoms of this developmental disorder that can be diagnosed in the first years of life. Early diagnosis and intervention have been shown to make a significant difference in outcomes of children with ASD. ASD is characterized by a wide range of symptoms including: • Problems with social interaction and communication • Repetitive behaviors such as rocking, spinning, hand flapping and toe walking • Significant difficulty with a change in daily routine or ritual, which may result in severe tantrums
As they grow, children should exhibit the following developmental milestones: • Six months: Smiling with warm, joyful facial expressions; making good eye contact and engaging easily with caregivers • Six to 12 months: Responding to their own name; making babbling sounds like baba, gaga, mama, dada • 12 months: Making back and forth gestures such as reaching for parents to pick them up, waving, pointing with the index finger for things they want • 18 – 24 months: Saying many words, even if they are not pronounced correctly; pointing to body parts when asked, “Where is your tummy? Feet?” • 24 months: Saying their own two-word phrases, not just repeating what others say
ZACH LIKES STORIES WITH HEROES ZACH LIKES STORIES WITH YOU WANT TO BE A HERO TO KIDS LIKE ZACH HEROES. Calling all Heroes!
BE A HERO TO KIDS LIKE ZACH!
Centra Autism Services is hiring Board Certified Behavior Analysts Apply online at www.centrahealth.com/careers
• • • • • • • •
Most comprehensive Autism Services in the region Competitive salary Generous benefits package Loan forgiveness Tuition reimbursement Relocation assistance Paid Time Off Flexible full-time work hours
Centra Autism Services is hiring Board Certified Behavior Analysts If a child fails to exhibit any of the aforementioned milestones or if he loses speech or social skills at any age, families should consult with their pediatrician or primary care physician about an evaluation for ASD. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that well-child checkups include developmental screening at 9, 18 and 24 to 30 months with specific screening for autism spectrum disorders at eighteen and twenty-four months. If a child is diagnosed with ASD, therapy is directed at communication, language and social interaction. In addition to speech/language and occupational therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a conditioning behavior therapy targeting specific behaviors, is the gold standard treatment for autism spectrum disorders.
Apply online at www.centrahealth. com/careers (use keyword BCBA) or email: Whitney.Clements@ Centrahealth.com • Competitive salary/generous benefits package • Student loan forgiveness/tuition reimbursement • Relocation assistance • Flexible full-time work hours • Locations throughout Virginia
MENTALHEALTH
MATTERS
JULY 2016 | VOL. 30 ISSUE 3
Produced by Centra Mental Health Services and Communications/Marketing Department. For referrals or admissions, call the Mental Health Intake & Resource Center, 434.200.4444 or 800.947.5442, 24 hours a day. For more information about the Mental Health Services division, please call 434.200.4447.
Centra marks World Autism Day
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n April 2, World Autism Day, Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital, along with thousands of schools, skyscrapers, landmarks, businesses and homes worldwide shone blue lights. The international campaign was begun by Autism Speaks after World Autism Day was adopted by the United Nations in 2007 to shine a bright light on autism as a growing global health priority. Individuals across the world also will be wore blue to mark the day. The goals of World Autism Day are to: • Spread awareness and understanding of autism • Celebrate and honor the unique talents and skills of people with autism • Bring attention to the needs of the millions of individuals and families affected by autism Just a few of the almost 20,000 sites that participate in this event are the Freedom Tower, The Great Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza, Madison Square Garden, Gillette Stadium, the Suez Canal and Taipei 101 in Taiwan.
