Available Rotations
Three intervention clinics and two diagnostic clinics are available for trainee involvement. Intervention clinics focus on families as change agents, although child involvement does occur in some rotations. Diagnostic clinics provide opportunities for assessment and report writing.
Intervention Clinics
Behavioral Interventions for Families Program
Primary Supervisor - Dr. Laura Silverman
This clinic provides manualized, behavior-based, parent training to caregivers of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders, rare genetic disorders, and developmental disabilities. Therapy consists of weekly individualized sessions with caregivers who are taught basic strategies for addressing challenging behaviors at home. A typical course of therapy lasts 6 to 12 sessions, and content is individualized to meet the unique needs of each family. Trainees involved in this clinic first shadow 2 full courses of parent training therapy, then begin to see patients as the primary therapist. Trainees receive group supervision in the clinic and individual supervision with a psychologist.
Families Moving Forward Program
Primary Supervisor - Dr. Christie Petrenko
This clinic serves caregivers raising children (ages 3 to 13) with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) using a manualized program tailored for this population. The innovative program integrates positive behavioral support, motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioral techniques. Targeted provider and school consultation is also included. Standard (typically 15 - 17 sessions) and consultation (3 - 4 sessions) formats of FMF are available and can be delivered in families’ homes or in a standard clinic setting. Trainees receive 45 hours of intensive training in this model prior to implementation. Trainees participate in regular individual supervision (about 30 minutes per case per session) throughout the rotation.
Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program
Primary Supervisor - Dr. Kimberly Brown
The feeding clinic provides individualized behavior-based supports for families of children with:
- Extreme food pickiness and food selectivity
- Food aversions
- Disruptive mealtime behaviors, including tantrums and refusal to sit at the table
The feeding team consists of a clinical psychologist, a dietician, and a speech-language pathologist. There is a team-based approach to addressing complex feeding issues and regular sessions involve both child and caregiver participation. Trainees involved in the feeding clinic first shadow clinicians, then take on patients with direct supervision and team support.
Diagnostic Clinics
FASD Diagnostic & Evaluation Clinic
Primary Supervisor - Dr. Christie Petrenko
The multidisciplinary diagnostic clinic serves children between the ages of 3 and 16 with histories of prenatal alcohol exposure.
Evaluations include:
- Record review
- Neuropsychological assessment with the child
- A physical exam by medical staff
- Clinical interviewing with the family
Trainees and clinic staff complete scoring immediately following the assessment and provide preliminary feedback to the family on the same day as the evaluation. The clinic runs twice a month, with a typical clinic day lasting 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Two trainees participate in each clinic; one trainee completes testing with the child and the other interviews the caregiver. Trainees will prepare comprehensive integrative reports and receive detailed feedback and supervision on report writing skills.
Commonly used assessment measures used in clinic include:
- Differential Abilities Scales, Second Edition
- NEPSY-II
- California Verbal Learning Test, Child Version
- Various parent report scales of adaptive, behavior, and social functioning
Autism Diagnostic Clinic
Primary Supervisor - Dr. Laura Silverman, Dr. Suzannah Iadarola, Dr. Kenneth Shamlian, and Dr. Kelley Yost
The autism diagnostic clinic serves children and adolescents suspected of having an autism spectrum disorder. Children between the ages of 2 and 17 are generally seen in this clinic with their families. Children are given standardized diagnostic measures and screeners, including the ADOS-2 and SCQ. Other screening measures are also administered to rule out other conditions, such as ADHD, anxiety, or a mood disorder.
Clinic sessions generally last for 2 - 4 hours and include:
- A chart review
- Direct child assessment and observation
- A caregiver interview
- Scoring and interpretation of standardized measures and diagnostic feedback to families
After the visit, comprehensive diagnostic reports are written within 48 hours of the evaluation. Trainees involved in the diagnostic clinic have the opportunity to shadow clinicians and learn about diagnostic testing procedures. Participation in clinic builds slowly over time with direct supervision at all times. Opportunities for report writing are also possible.