About one in 68 children has an autism spectrum disorder, a group of complex brain development disorders that cause social and communication problems of varying intensities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hospitals are working to pinpoint causes, model effective therapies, and work with children with autism spectrum disorder and their families to reach the best outcomes.
Pennsylvania is fortunate to be home to two Autism Treatment Network member facilities: the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). The network consists of 15 treatment and research centers dedicated to improving care for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.
CHOP’s Autism Integrated Care Program
This program:
- Evaluates, diagnoses, and creates treatment plans for children with autism
- Offers specialty care and interventions
- Conducts research into the causes and treatments of autism spectrum disorder
CHOP evaluates more than 300 new patients yearly for autism spectrum disorder and provides follow-up care to more than 3,000 children with autism.
With the University of Pennsylvania, CHOP runs the multidisciplinary Center for Autism Research. The center reports breakthrough discoveries in genetics and brain imaging, and is developing and testing new autism interventions. Thousands have signed up for its autismMatch, a registry that connects families to autism research studies.
UPMC’s Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders
Working with the Child Development Unit at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, the center is part of the Autism Treatment Network. The center provides evaluations, referral coordination, and support and treatment options for youngsters suspected of having autism spectrum disorder. The Child Development Unit promotes a family-centered approach in forming recommendations for patient goals.
UPMC operates many intensive, specialty programs for autistic children. They range from longer-term, full-day treatment programs for children with autism-related behavior problems to inpatient services for children with autism spectrum disorder and other acute behavioral and emotional problems through Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC.
The institute is the western Pennsylvania regional Autism, Services, Education, Resources, and Training Center, one of three state-funded centers fostering partnerships among medical and research facilities, universities, and providers. The centers improve access to autism services, provide professional training, and serve as a resource for families. Other centers are located at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and Penn State Hershey Medical Center near Harrisburg.
Penn State Hershey’s Programs
Penn State Hershey Medical Center offers treatment programs for autism spectrum disorder, including a novel clinical initiative to:
- Improve outcomes for youths transitioning into adulthood
- Age-appropriate group therapy for social skills
- Medication management programs
The Penn State Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Behavior and Development program provides assessments and neuropsychological, and educational testing, and works with young children with autism spectrum disorder, especially those with speech and language difficulties.
Many local hospitals offer related support groups, services, and screenings or can connect you with appropriate resources. With Pennsylvania’s hospitals working on research and innovative treatments, the odds are improving that autism can be diagnosed earlier, making treatment that much more effective.