New program offers hope for parents seeking earlier treatment for autism BY DR. JUDY PENDLETON TIMES PUBLICATIONS GUEST WRITER
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rizona has one of the highest rates of autism in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in 66 children living in the state has autism spectrum disorder. In addition, in order for children with autism to receive medically necessarily services and interventions, Arizona’s Division of Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Economic Security (DDD) stipulates that only a developmental pediatrician, licensed clinical psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose autism. Meanwhile, there are few developmental pediatricians in Arizona, and most are located within Maricopa County, forcing children around the state to compete for appointments. In my pediatric practice in Chandler, I have witnessed firsthand the frustration of parents who must wait months to see a doctor and access the resources their children need. But thanks to grant funding and a vision created by Dr. Robin Blitz, director of developmental pediatrics at Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Early Access to Care – AZ (EAC-AZ) is removing these roadblocks. It is training physicians across the state in assessing children for autism and providing them with a medical home. In fact, I completed the EAC-AZ training program earlier this year in order to provide my patients with a highly needed and sought-after service. Created in 2015, EAC-AZ trains medical providers around the state to diagnose and treat children with autism. After a provider completes the program, Dr. Blitz works with DDD to get the pediatricians’ diagnoses approved for DDD ser-
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vices, thus providing much-needed early access to medical intervention, therapies and school services to children living in the Phoenix area and across Arizona. The Board of Visitors, a charitable organization in Phoenix that supports the health care needs of women, children and the elderly, has been supportive because of the impact of Blitz and her team on educating those working with these children daily. Their work is allowing for improved diagnosis and access that did not exist before. The long-term goal of EAC-AZ is to change the landscape for children with autism and their families in Arizona by providing earlier diagnosis and earlier access to interventions and medical homes, resulting in better outcomes for children and support for their families.
The long-term goal of EAC-AZ is to change the landscape for children with autism and their families in Arizona by providing earlier diagnosis and earlier access to interventions and medical homes, resulting in better outcomes for children and support for their families. The first teams began training in August 2015. I am a member of the second cohort of pediatricians who completed their training in June 2016. We are now working toward final certification, which will allow us to diagnose patients, a crucial step that opens the door for children and their families to access the services and interventions they require. So far, EAC-AZ has trained 12 providers in the regions of Casa Grande, Flagstaff, Lake Havasu, Pinetop-Lakeside, Prescott Valley, Tucson, Yuma and Maricopa as well as 11 pediatricians in Maricopa County and one in Cottonwood. EAC-AZ is open to board-certified pediatricians across Arizona. The six-month training course for primary care providers consists of learning modules, independent readings, webinars, online case discussions and two, in-person trainings at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Providers interested in participating in EAC-AZ may contact earlyaccesstocareaz@phoenixchildrens.com. Parents who would like more information can visit barrow.phoenixchildrens.org. n Pendelton Pediatrics, 1445 West Chandler Blvd., Building B, Chandler, is part of Phoenix Children’s Care Network, Arizona’s only pediatric network. Contact: pendletonpeds.com, 480-3855055.