July 31, 2024 by
Margie Brenner and Janet Essman Franz
Like subspecialists across the nation, providers at UVM Children’s Hospital Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics division and the Vermont Center for Children, Youth, and Families (VCCYF) saw a significant increase in referrals for autism assessment during the past decade, resulting in extremely long wait times. To address this need, the pediatric and psychiatry departments collaborated to restructure the autism assessment program, and the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program (VCHIP) launched a statewide-level initiative to improve rates of developmental screening and remove barriers to autism assessment and diagnosis.
Jeremiah Dickerson, M.D., (left) and Molly Bumpas, M.Ed., assess children for autism in the Vermont Center for Children, Youth, and Families. (photo: David Seaver)
Like subspecialists across the nation, providers at UVM Children’s Hospital Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics division and the Vermont Center for Children, Youth, and Families (VCCYF) saw a significant increase in referrals for autism assessment during the past decade, resulting in extremely long wait times.
To address this need, the pediatric and psychiatry departments collaborated to restructure the autism assessment program, and the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program (VCHIP) launched a statewide-level initiative to improve rates of developmental screening and remove barriers to autism assessment and diagnosis.
Read the full story about improving autism assessment and follow-up at UVM.