PA ASERT - Eastern Region
Center for Autism Research (CAR)
(The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia & University of Pennsylvania)
Needs Assessment
The purpose of the needs assessment is to collect information that can be used to improve the quality of autism services in Pennsylvania. Questions address barriers to and quality of care, current system capacity, and gaps between current and evidence-based practice of autism services.
Early Screening and Diagnosis Project (ESD)
The project focuses on building networks of individuals and agencies that screen and diagnose children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in a defined region. This project will target children in underserved populations, such as rural communities and minorities. A training program will be developed using research based practicies and good instruments for screening and diagnosis. The ESD team will provide coaching, modeling, and follow up for interested sites. Parents will be given resources and support to identify barriers to care and accessing services. By focusing on local resources and needs, the team will help build expertise in that region.
Contact: E-mail aserteast@email.chop.edu for more information on training opportunities.
University of Pennsylvania
Education & Outreach
Website development will include a map of services available through the life span, by county/region. A list of resources will be available for each region. Materials corresponding to information on the website will be available for distribution.
Please view our website and check back for additional resources and information!
Drexel University
Transitioning to Adulthood Social Skills Seminar (TASSS)
This program is based on UPenn's successful Social Skills Seminar series, which focuses on developing an awareness of nonverbal cues, conversation skills, job interviewing skills, and interpersonal relationship skills. Twenty-four postsecondary institutions (4-6 sites per semester) across the Eastern Region will implement the program. Experienced trainers will work with student participants with an autism diagnosis, and social coaches, who are same age peers from the participating site practice social skills in class
Contact: E-mail aserteast@email.chop.edu for more information.
Increase Service to the Latino Community
The Drexel Autism Center plans to build upon current evaluation and medication management visits serving Latino and African American populations, and provide bilingual case management services. The project will expand services to other areas of the Eastern Region with substantial Latino and African American populations. The program will provide training to clinical doctoral students in the use of ASD-specific measures.
Contact: Yolanda Ramirez at yramirez@drexelmed.edu or 215-831-4058 for more information.
.Lehigh University
Community Based Inclusion Services for Adults
Lehigh University will lead collaboration with adult service programs to expand capacity for and actual breadth of services, such as community inclusion, job assessment and finding, transition work services, and supportive employment. A program manual will be developed for easy implementation to other regions and programs.
Contact: Cathy Kunsch at ckunsch@lehigh.edu or 610-758-5826 for more information.
Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) Training
This program will increase training opportunities across the Eastern Region, consistent with necessary credentials for the Autism Waiver. The team will hold 2-day regional introdcutory FBA trainings followed by a series of regional trainings focusing on PBS strategies. The final stage of training will implement a Train-the-Trainer model to sustain PBS practices. Materials from the trainings will be available for distribution.
Click here for dates, times, locations, and FAQs.
Contact: Cathy Kunsch at ckunsch@lehigh.edu or 610-758-5826 for more information.