Operation Access: Diagnosing Autism in the Medical Home

This longitudinal collaborative learning experience, designed for primary care providers, is structured to teach updated diagnostic strategies for recognizing, evaluating, and diagnosing autism in early childhood in the primary care medical home and promoting more timely access for early intervention services.

Sessions will be a combination of in-person, virtual webinars, and some asynchronous learning and will include education on use of the ASD-PEDS as a diagnostic tool.

10 CME & MOC Credits Available for Live Attendance

Speakers:

Victoria Dalzell, MD
Victoria Dalzell, MD
Ellen Popenoe, PhD
Ellen Popenoe, PhD
Brian Youth, MD
Brian Youth, MD
Carol Hubbard, MD, PhD
Carol Hubbard, MD, PhD

Session 1|Tuesday, November 19, 2024 5:00 PM–8:00 PM|In-Person

Overview of screening and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders in very young children

Reminder:

Please read the AAP Article, Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, in the Session 1 Materials prior to the November 19th in-person session.

At the end of the first session, the learner will be able to

  • Identify red flags for Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Understand the differential diagnosis for autism spectrum disorders
  • Be able to take a complete developmental and behavioral history with a focus on autism
  • Identify additional information helpful to collect as part of evaluation
  • Understand surveillance, screening and testing options for Autism spectrum disorders

Session 2|Thursday, December 12, 2024 6:00 PM–7:00 PM|Webinar

Use of the ASD-PEDS in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders in very young children

At the end of the second session, the learner will be able to

  • Review options for ASD-PEDS testing items
  • Demonstrate initial understanding of scoring for ASD-PEDS
  • Learn how to document ASD-PEDS in their respective EMRs
  • Select possible strategies for testing in their respective medical settings

Session 3|Thursday, January 9, 2025 6:00 PM–7:00 PM|Webinar

First Steps in Accessing Interventions and Resources for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

At the end of the third session, the learner will be able to

  • Describe Part C (Early Intervention for ME) and Part B of Child Development Services
  • Identify additional therapeutic services for a child with a newly diagnosed autism spectrum disorder
  • Identify additional community supports available

Session 5|Friday, March 28, 2025 1:00 PM–5:00 PM|In-Person

The primary care provider’s guide to comprehensive care for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders including identification and treatment of common co-morbidities, evidence based therapies, and community resources.

At the end of the fifth session, the learner will be able to

  • Identify and treat common mental health comorbidities of autism including ADHD and anxiety
  • Identify medical concerns that need further evaluation
  • Understand how to take a history for challenging behaviors associated with autism including self-injurious behaviors and aggression
  • Have a more in-depth understanding of therapies and community supports for autism

The Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education designates this live activity for a maximum of 10 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education and the Maine Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics. The Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education is accredited by the Maine Medical Association Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn up to 10 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.

This program is made possible by the generous support of the Ellen Beaudin Fund, in memory of Ellen Beaudin,
who dedicated her life to helping children with autism and other developmental delays

With Support from Maine DHHS Children's Behavioral Health