Research

Combating Autism Act Expansion of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) at the University of Rochester

The Combating Autism Act expansion of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program at the University of Rochester will increase the number of professionals in western New York State who can effectively diagnose and treat Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in children and youth through long term and medium term training of nurses, physicians, psychologists, speech language pathologists, and others, particularly emphasizing under served urban and rural populations. Goals are to provide long term and medium term trainees with specific curriculum related to the needs of children and youth with Autism spectrum disorders, to collaborate with other programs in training, coordination and research, and to target under served populations in urban and rural areas. Training will include didactic and clinical training in university clinic and community based settings, delivered both in person and via distance learning technologies.

Clinical training occurs in the University of Rochester Andrew J. Kirch Clinic and in community based school consultations. LEND ASD Fellows participate in Autism Treatment Network research projects.