Services & Treatment

Services we Provide

Evaluation and Diagnosis

The CDRC Autism Program provides diagnostic evaluations of children suspected of being on the autism spectrum. Evaluation clinics are held three days per week for a total of 36-40 evaluations per month.

• Children from birth through age five years are seen by a team of professionals for a half-day, either in the morning or the afternoon

• We see older patents are seen in evaluations that last from three-quarters to a full day.  We evaluate all individuals with questions of Asperger's Disorder and high functioning Autistic Disorder as priorities

Structured evaluative tools, informal observations, behavior checklists, and interviews are all used to gather information about the referred child. Records from school and other service providers also provide needed information.

We follow the practice parameters as outlined by the American Academy of Pediatric and, as part of the ATN, all patients receive the same evaluation protocol. Those families receiving a diagnosis on the autism spectrum are invited to participate in the ATN Patient Registry.

Follow Along Services

We offer follow along services for individuals who receive a diagnosis on the autism spectrum and their families. These services include:

• Individualized support and referral assistance from our family consultant, with the options of face-to-face meetings, if needed.
• A three-month follow up appointment with one of our developmental pediatricians. This opportunity allows families to make sure all their questions and needs have been addressed to the best of our ability.
• Linking families to local resources including the CaCoon and Community Connections Networks.
• Annual re-evaluations to document progress assist with modifying intervention strategies, and update diagnoses.

Treatment

Treatment is provided to children and families in the following forms:

• The Parent Training Program offers families the opportunity to learn how to increase their child's social and communicative skills through play and routine activities of daily living. The individualized program runs for 12 weeks (2 sessions a week) or for 24 weeks (1 session a week) based on the families needs and availability.
• As part of the ATN, pediatric specialty services are provided to families who have children with medical concerns. These families are referred directly to OHSU pediatric specialists, such as the gastroenterologist, neurologist, geneticist, and sleep specialist. Each of these professionals have developed an interest and expertise in working with children on the autism spectrum
• Individual sessions with speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, and psychologists, based on the needs of particular children, insurance coverage, and proximity to OHSU.
• Individual sessions with clinical psychologists to address behavioral issues in children with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum, including food refusal and food selectivity, aggressive or self-injurious behavior, and noncompliance.
• Individual sessions with clinical psychologists for children, adolescents, and adults who have or are suspected to have a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome or high functioning Autistic Disorder. These sessions are individualized to meeting the individual's needs.