Special emphasis/concentration areas will be arranged for interns depending upon interest. Interns will rotate through all or most services as predetermined but an attempt will be made to assign cases according to interest. These subspecialties include:
Autism Spectrum Disorders Concentration
Interns choosing an Autism Spectrum Disorders Concentration will spend the majority of their internship year gaining experience in the following clinical activities:
Diagnostic Evaluations in which a preliminary differential diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder is conducted. These evaluations include obtaining information regarding early developmental history, birth and medical history, family history, and presenting concerns.
Best Practice Evaluations consisting of a more in-depth assessment of behavioral, social and communicatino domains in order to assist in determining specific targets of intervention and in prescribing appropriate behavioral Health Rehabilitative Services.
Functional Behavioral Assessments as a consultant to a treatment team, family, or school district to assist in more effectively treating problem behaviors.
Behavioral Specialist Consultant in which the intern serves as the lead clinician in developing and guiding the implementation of behavioral plans within the home, school and community.
Mobile Therapy in which the intern provides therapy to the child and/or family. Focuses include helping the family come to terms with the child's diagnosis and coping with the stress of raising a child who has autism. Child/adolescent centered therapy addresses emotional regulation and the application of cognitive behavioral interventions.
Group Therapy for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders focusing on friendship development, social stories, comic strip conversations, social communication, and emotional regulation. Experience in this area may also include co-leading parent support and psychoeducational groups pertaining to Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Psychological Evaluations including assessment of intellectual, achievement, language, social, emotional and behavioral domains to assist in an accurate diagnosis of Autism Spectrum diagnoses and potential comorbid conditions. Caseload of psychological evaluations will be determined based upon referral basis and interest of individual intern, althought one evaluation per week can be generally expected. Interns will become acquainted with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and the Autism Diagnostic Interview.
Camp WISP, the first inclusive, systematic summer camp program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the country, operates for eight weeks over the course of the summer. Interns may gain training, supervisory and consultation experience through participation in the program.
Camp STAT serves adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Interns have the opportunity to co-lead therapeutic groups along with a licensed clinician.
Research. Interns are encouraged to participate in a number of research projects relating to autism. Current interests of staff include measuring social skills, assessing progress and assessing depression in adolescents with autism.
Pediatric Neuropsychology Concentration
Interns choosing a pediatric neuropsychology concentratin will spend the majority of their clinical year engaged in the following clinical activities:
Diagnostic Interviews in which a comprehensive symptom assessment, medical history, developmental history and family history are obtained. These assessments lead to the determination regarding the medical necessity of a neuropsychological evaluation, as well as the differential diagnosis that serves as the basis for the neuropsychological evaluation. Interns selecting this concentration can expect to complete at least two diagnostic evaluations per week.
Insurance PreApprovals in which the intern will learn the process, under supervision, of preparing and submitting insurance preapprovals. this process includes appropriate test selection to target the differential diagnosis and documentation of medical necessity criteria.
Neuropsychological Evaluations, in which the intern administers, scores and interprets neuropsychological measures across the following domains: Attention/Concentratin, Learning and Memory, Language, Sensory and Motor Skills, Visual Perceptual and Visual Motor Skills, Executive Functioning, Developmental Scales, Adaptive Functioning and others based upon the presenting concerns. Interns selecting this concentratin can expect to complete two full neuropsychological batteries per week. Recent referrals for neuropsychological evaluatins have included diagnoses of:
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Cranial Stenosis
- PKU and other metabolic disorders
- Genetic Disorders (Turner Syndrome, Fragile X)
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Seizure Disorders
- Hypoglycemia
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Dyslexia
- Cerebral Palsy
- Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Feedback Sessions in which the intern and their supervisor present findings from the neuropsychological evaluation to the client and family while offering specific, individual recommendations for continued treatment.
Behavioral Specialist Consultant and Mobile Therapy roles for children with a variety of neurological impairments receiving services through Behavioral Health and Rehabilitative Services. Treatment would emphasize the understanding and treatment of behavioral sequelae from a neuropsychological perspective.
General Psychology Concentration
Individuals in the general psychology concentration will complete wraparound evaluations, diagnostic interviews, mobile therapy, consultation work, neuropsychological evaluations and a possible rotation at the Craig Academy. Individuals who elect this concentration have the opportunity to tailor their training experience to fit their needs.
