Conditions We Treat
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Affecting about 1 in 88 people, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) include:
-
Autism
-
Asperger Disorder
-
Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
While these disorders each have specific criteria, they all involve problems in three areas:
-
Communicating with other people (delayed or unusual language, difficulty with conversation, limited nonverbal communication such as eye contact, gesture, or facial expression)
-
Social Interaction (little interest in other people, difficulty making friends, lack of imitation or pretend play)
-
Restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests (doing things over and over, getting “stuck” on specific topics, playing with parts of toys rather than the toy as it was intended)
Many, but not all, children with autism spectrum disorders also have other health or behavioral difficulties. Common problems include feeding difficulties, poor sleep, overactivity, anxiety and mood swings. The Division of Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics strives to improve the well-being of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Clinical Services for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Kirch Developmental Services Center
The Kirch Center provides:
-
State of the art diagnostic evaluation for children suspected of having an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
-
Ongoing specialty care for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, addressing common health and behavioral concerns
-
Parent –child intervention, teaching parents to be their child’s best teacher
-
Information and Referral services, helping families find resources
-
Programs to support families of children newly diagnosed with ASD– monthly meetings to help families navigate the services their child needs after diagnosis
-
Programs to address feeding and nutrition problems
Infant/Toddler Program
Our Infant/Toddler Developmental Program provides developmental and autism specific screening to young children at risk for developmental disabilities due to prematurity and other health conditions.
Crisis Intervention Program
Crisis Intervention Program services to individuals with ASD living in Monroe County with significant behavioral difficulties
Collaborations
To provide comprehensive care, we also collaborate with other pediatric subspecialties including:
Research
Golisano Children’s Hospital is uniquely connected to our community—our schools, families, and medical professionals. The clinical research we are doing addresses the questions that they raise: What is the best way to teach young children to communicate? How can we help families teach their children in everyday activities? What is the most effective way for schools to work with students with ASD? How should problems with eating, sleeping, or other medical issues be managed? University of Rochester is one of 17 sites of the Autism Treatment Network and has one of the largest research programs on ASD in the United States. Many families of children with ASD choose to participate in research, which offers children the opportunity to participate in new treatments.
Training
We prepare physicians, nurses, psychologists, educators, and other professionals to screen for, diagnose, and treat children with autism spectrum disorders through an accredited Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Fellowship for physicians and the federally funded Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities Fellowship.
Community Programs
Our Community Consultation Program provides technical assistance, training, and continuing education to schools, community and state agencies that provide services to children with ASD or other learning and behavioral challenges.
The Institute for Innovative Transition works to improve the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and their families as they transition from school age to adulthood.
The Rochester Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (RRCASD) provides community education and technical assistance to professionals, caregivers and individuals affected by an autism spectrum disorder within our 17-county region within Central/Western New York State.