Autism Care

An accurate, early autism evaluation, especially before age 3, is key to ensuring the best possible outcome.

For your convenience and to make it easier on you and your child, each personalized, family-centered autism spectrum test is performed virtually in the comfort of your home. Your autism screening team is selected based on your child’s age and symptoms, and may include a:

• Pediatrician
• Speech-language pathologist
• Psychiatrist
• Psychologist
• Neuropsychologist

The autism evaluation includes several parts:

• Parent interview
• Direct observations
• Physical examinations
• Other diagnostic tools

Autism spectrum disorder, also known simply as autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is associated with changes in the brain. It includes a spectrum of conditions and ranges in severity from level one (which was formerly known as Asperger syndrome) to level three.

Signs of autism can differ by child, and not all children experience them the same way or to the same degree. Some common ones include:

• Avoiding eye contact
• Difficulty understanding what others are thinking and feeling
• Difficulty initiating and participating in conversations
• Finding it hard to express feelings and rely on others emotionally
• Difficulty making friends
• Difficulty understanding others’ body language, facial expressions and sarcasm
• Stimming, or repeating the same body movements to self soothe
• Fixating on specific topics or objects
• Needing to follow certain routines and behaviors
• Heightened sensitivity to loud sounds, bright lights and textures

Our Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities ABA therapy team teaches children with autism the skills needed to succeed at home, school and in the community, and to promote positive social interactions. This includes:

• Breaking down life skills into smaller parts until your child can do the entire skill or activity.
• Decreasing challenging behaviors by only rewarding appropriate communication and replacement behaviors.

ABA therapy services: What to expect

• Streamlined intake: Including an initial phone call, appointment and therapy day to perform several assessments and discuss your family’s therapy goals.
• Personalized ABA therapy plan: Developed by your board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA), the therapy plan may include one-one-one, extended one-on-one or group therapy sessions, as well as social skills groups or additional services such as speech-language therapy or feeding therapy.
• Therapy and monitoring: Your child’s personal ABA therapist follows the plan during their sessions. Your BCBA observes weekly to ensure your child is making progress toward the therapy goals—reviewing and making any necessary adjustments every six months.

• Research: At Henry Ford Health, our departments of research and public health sciences conduct ongoing studies on the causes, diagnosis and management of autism—along with ways to decrease disparities in autism diagnosis and management. We also partner with Wayne State University and Michigan State University’s Innovation Center to better understand autism spectrum disorder, increase awareness and improve the accuracy and accessibility of autism screening tools.
• Patient experience surveys: We partnered with Press Ganey to create the first-ever patient experience surveys for autism diagnosis, feedback and therapy. We use these to drive change and achieve better, more equitable health outcomes.
• Medical student and resident education: We are also training the next generation of medical professionals to identify, evaluate and manage treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder.

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): The AAP is an organization of 67,000 pediatricians who are dedicated to improving the lives of all children. They offer trusted advice, data and recommendations for pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder.
• The Arc: The Arc is a national source for information about autism and other developmental disabilities, including community-based solutions for those with ASD.
• Autism Alliance of Michigan: The Autism Alliance of Michigan leads efforts across the state of Michigan that will improve the quality of life for people with autism through education, access to comprehensive services, community awareness, inclusion efforts and coordinated advocacy.
• Autism Speaks: This national organization is dedicated to promoting solutions throughout the life span for the needs of people with autism and their families. They do this through advocacy and support, increasing understanding of people with autism spectrum disorder and advancing research into causes and treatments of autism and related conditions.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC is the U.S. government’s sources of health research and guidance. It offers information on autism signs, symptoms, screening, treatment and more.
• Early on Michigan: Early on Michigan is a state program that helps families of infants and toddlers with developmental delays (up to age 3) find social, health and educational services.
• Inspire: The Inspire support group and discussion forum is a way to connect with other people who have autism, along with their families and caregivers.
• Michigan Autism Program: This program was established by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. It supports those with autism, their families/caregivers and autism specialists.
• MSU Autism Lab: This research lab in the Michigan State University Department of Psychology is directed by Dr. Brooke Ingersoll and focuses on the development, dissemination and implementation of evidence-based, community-viable interventions for children on the autism spectrum and their families, with the goal of improving meaningful outcomes.
• Project Impact Program: Teaches parents strategies they can use to help their child develop social, communication, imitation and play skills during daily routines and activities.
  
  

We offer two convenient Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities locations:

• Henry Ford Medical Center – Troy
• Henry Ford Medical Center – Hamtramck