A diagnosis of autism is devastating to families. At Memorial, we know that with early diagnosis and a team approach to therapy, much can be done to help children diagnosed with this highly complex developmental disability. That is why we opened our Autism and Developmental Disorder Clinic - the only one of its kind in southern Colorado.

Memorial's Autism and Developmental Disorder Clinic is physician-based. That means that a board-certified developmental pediatrician is a key part of the diagnostic and treatment team that is rounded out by a physiologist, an occupational therapist and a speech therapist. This team works with the family to tailor a treatment program and follow-up plan.

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The diagnostic and treatment process

Patients must be referred to the Autism and Developmental Disorder Clinic by the child's doctor - usually a pediatrician. The referral is generally made following an audiology evaluation. The process begins with a call to the clinic.

• An information packet is sent to the parents that includes an in-depth patient history.
• When the patient information is returned, it is reviewed by a therapist who contacts the parent to review the information and obtain any information that might be missing.
• The actual evaluation is scheduled, usually for the following week. The assessment includes the autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS). Parents can be present for the evaluation that generally runs two hours or less. A diagnosis is not be rendered at this time.
• Our developmental pediatrician, together with the team, reviews the test results and make a diagnosis within a week of the patient evaluation.
• The family meets with the doctor to discuss treatment options.
• Follow-up appointments with the developmental pediatrician are typically scheduled at six months or one year.

We embrace family-centered care and encourage parents to make treatment decisions that are best for their child. If parents decide to pursue treatment through Memorial's pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation department, their child receives speech and occupational therapy two-to-three times a week. Children may also participate in a social skills group to develop their language and social skills. Parents may also receive 'homework' assignments that reinforce at home the skills their child is learning at the clinic. In addition, many families participate in the Pikes Peak Autism Society support group and take advantage of the group's educational opportunities.