This Giving Blueday, we hope you will consider making a donation to the Multidisciplinary Autism Program at Michigan Medicine to support the Autism Toolkit Fund. Developed by the director of the program, Sarah Mohiuddin, M.D., clinical associate professor of psychiatry, the autism toolkit is helping bridge the gap in providing resources and support for people with ASD and their loved ones.
In the United States, one in six children is diagnosed with a developmental disability. For one in 36 kids, the diagnosis is autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Access to quality care for kids with ASD is limited. As they age, it becomes increasingly difficult to receive autism care. Over the next decade, nearly half a million youth with autism will enter adulthood, making it critical we find ways to help bridge gaps in care now.
There is limited access to quality care for this population. Sadly, 40% of post-high school youth with autism do not receive any mental health care, case management services, or speech therapy. This percentage is higher for African American youth and low-income families.
Sarah Mohiuddin, M.D., clinical associate professor of psychiatry, director of the Multidisciplinary Autism Program, and training director of the Child Psychiatry Fellowship Program, is focused on changing those statistics and has laid the groundwork to meet the needs of this population. Dr. Mohiuddin has developed an online resource called the Autism Toolkit, created through her Teaching and Education for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Management (TEAM) program. The intent of the tool kit is to help train health care providers throughout the state of Michigan how best to support these individuals throughout their youth and into adulthood.
The Autism Toolkit includes a video library that gives health care providers critical, evidence-based information to expand their knowledge on ASD and developmental disabilities. It also contains shared, real-life experiences of those living with autism and developmental disabilities. The Autism Toolkit also offers group consultation meetings for providers who work directly with these populations. These meetings provide opportunities to share knowledge, answer questions, share ideas and advice, and connect over a shared mission to help youth and adults with ASD and developmental disabilities. While the ideas for TEAM and the Autism Toolkit stem from Dr. Mohiuddin’s vision, donor support made them possible.
The Teaching and Education for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Management (TEAM) are experts in autism spectrum disorder and developmental disability research. Their goals are to educate health care providers in these areas and highlight the diverse needs of individuals with these disorders so providers are able to offer the highest level of care as their patients grow older. Another TEAM priority is helping those with autism and developmental disability increase their self-efficacy and autonomy by making practical resources free to them and their families.
Philanthropic support enabled Dr. Mohiuddin to make her AutismToolkit a reality. Now, we are calling on our dedicated friends and donors to help us further develop these toolkits. We also need support to continue making these toolkits and resources free to patients and their families as well as providers in the community. Join us today in supporting this population of people by closing the gap in their care as they enter the adult world.
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