The Department of Defense Autism Research Program funded a training opportunity and research project to enhance the quality of healthcare for adults on the autism spectrum, a program hosted by Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Primary care providers - physicians, advanced practice nurses and physician assistants - participated in videoconferencing sessions focusing on caring for the unique needs of autistic adults. Through this training, providers learned skills that helped them care for a broad range of patients, including information on psychotropic medication management and how to help patients sleep.
The program included two series of trainings, which occurred for one hour twice a month for six months. Participants received compensation for completing several study measures and earned AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for each session attended.
This program was developed by autism specialists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, the University of Virginia, and the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Beth Malow, director of the Vanderbilt Autism Care Network site, was the Vanderbilt investigator for this project.
Our Team
Our Autism ECHO team includes:
- Beth Malow, M.D., M.S.
Neurologist, Autism & Sleep Medicine Specialist
Vanderbilt University Medical Center - Gary Stobbe, M.D.
Neurologist & Autism Specialist
University of Washington Medicine - Mavara Agrawal, M.D.
Med-Peds Physician & Autism Medical Specialist
Florida International University College of Medicine - Rachel Loftin, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist & Autism Behavior Specialist
Chicago, IL - Alexander Westphal, M.D., Ph.D.
Psychiatrist & Autism Behavior Specialist
Yale School of Medicine - Stephen Shore, Ed.D.
Professor, Special Education, & Self-Advocate
Adelphi University - Amy Hess, B.A., Grad Cert
Family Navigator & Parent Advocate
Nationwide Children’s Hospital - David Caudel, Ph.D.
Physicist, Self-Advocate, & Associate Director
Vanderbilt Center for Autism and Innovation
