Franciscan Children’s Announces New Autism Service

BRIGHTON, Mass. — Franciscan Children’s, a leading provider of complex medical and pediatric mental health care for children and adolescents, today announced, as National Autism Awareness Month begins, its new Coordinated Autism Service, which will enhance the existing programs for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder that have long been a specialty of the organization.

The Coordinated Autism Service is focused on children ages 6 and under to educate and aid in early autism diagnosis, while also providing children with coordinated care services internally at Franciscan Children’s. While it’s typically been perceived that autism cannot be diagnosed until age 3 or 4, indicators of autism can be seen as early as 15 to 18 months and children who receive early diagnoses and therapeutic intervention often have the best outcomes.

The comprehensive program begins with a referral to a staff psychologist who will complete a diagnostic interview and evaluation to assess autism and other neurodevelopmental issues, followed by a treatment plan that connects the child to the appropriate services within Franciscan Children’s, including neurology, speech therapy, feeding therapy, nutrition and more. Coordination with outside referrals is also handled as needed.

“By identifying and addressing autism earlier in a child’s development, we can develop an effective treatment plan,” said Program Director Dr. Amanda Platner, a licensed clinical psychologist. “Our overarching goal is to get children connected to services as quickly as possible. As the Coordinated Autism Service grows and develops we aim to eventually extend care to older children as well. Overall, this program adds to the autism-friendly environment that Franciscan Children’s provides for each child and their family.”

The diagnostic evaluation includes analyzing a child’s cognitive abilities, adaptive living skills and administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), a play-based assessment which is known as the “gold standard” in autism diagnosis.

While all children develop differently, parents and guardians are urged to watch for signs including: delayed language development or language that includes unusual qualities, i.e. repeating words or phrases exactly as they were heard; a struggle to connect socially with their children, i.e. making eye contact or not engaging in reciprocal play activities like peek-a-boo; non-traditional play with toys, i.e. fixating on the wheels of a toy car instead of playing with the toy car; and frequent emotional outbursts.

The goal of the Coordinated Autism Service is to make it possible not only for children and families to receive an early diagnosis, but also to then receive coordinated care services at Franciscan Children’s, making the transition seamless. Each department has reserved time slots for children who are a part of the Coordinated Autism Service, allowing for guaranteed streamlined care.

Treatment plans are heavily dependent on a child’s age, ranging from assistance with verbal communication to special education services at school to outpatient therapies, such as Franciscan Children’s LEGO Club, a group therapy program designed to promote social skills.