10/18/10
Randolph, Mass., - The Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Clinic in Randolph, a program of May Institute and the National Autism Center, has moved into a large, newly renovated space and substantially expanded its offerings to include a broad range of therapeutic and support services.
Under the direction of Lauren Solotar, Ph.D., ABPP, Chief Clinical Officer at May Institute, the Clinic provides diagnostic evaluations and evidence-based therapeutic treatment services to children and adolescents with ASD and their families. It now also offers support services including group and one-on-one therapy sessions that help families adjust to an ASD diagnosis and manage stress.
Located on May Institute’s Randolph Campus at 41 Pacella Park Drive, the new 6,000-square-foot ASD Clinic is spacious, bright, and welcoming. It includes four assessment/evaluation rooms with two-way observational capacity, interview rooms, and conference and training rooms. The facility also houses the offices of the National Autism Center.
The ASD Clinic provides diagnostic assessment services for individuals from 18 months through adulthood to evaluate autism spectrum disorders, including Asperger’s disorder, as well as other developmental disabilities. Children are assessed by highly trained psychologists who use standardized measures, including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) to evaluate developmental, cognitive, and behavioral functioning.
“Our clinicians specialize in helping families cope with an array of issues that often arise following a diagnosis,” says Dr. Solotar. “These include stress, grief, depression, anxiety, guilt, marital distress, and sibling issues. We use behavioral and cognitive behavioral therapy to help families develop essential skills to provide support and advocacy for their children while also taking care of their own needs.”
Comprehensive evaluation and assessments typically take six to eight weeks to complete, “which is quicker than most other diagnostic clinics,” says Dr. Solotar. During a one-hour feedback session following the assessment process, clinic staff meet with each family to review results, offer diagnostic opinions, and discuss treatment recommendations outlined in a detailed report.
Educational opportunities for parents are also available through the ASD Clinic. “We offer our “Pathways” series on-site to parents of children and adolescents with ASD,” says Susan Wilczynski, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Executive Director of the National Autism Center. “These programs have been very well received and provide critical information about ASD diagnosis, treatment options, and services for families.”
“We are pleased to see the expansion of this ASD Clinic by May Institute and the National Autism Center,” said Cariann Harsh, MBA, M.Ed., Director of the Massachusetts Autism Division, Department of Developmental Services. “We are hopeful that the services, especially the access to comprehensive assessments, will provide valuable tools for families struggling to determine the needs of their child.”
Services provided by the ASD Clinic are typically covered by insurance companies, including private insurers, Medicare, Medicaid, and MBHP. For more information, or to schedule an appointment at the Clinic, call 877.313.3833, ext. 375.
About May Institute and the National Autism Center
May Institute is an award-winning nonprofit organization that provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and behavioral health needs. In addition to its newly expanded Clinic in Randolph, the Institute provides assessment, evaluation, and diagnostic outreach services in Roxbury and West Springfield, Mass.
In response to the tremendous increase in the prevalence of ASD, May Institute founded the National Autism Center in 2005. This May Institute Center is dedicated to serving children and adolescents with ASD by promoting best practices and offering comprehensive and reliable information to families, practitioners, and communities. In 2009, the Center’s unprecedented multi-year project — the National Standards Project — established a set of standards for effective, research-validated educational and behavioral interventions for children with ASD.
Together, May Institute and the National Autism Center are committed to identifying and applying universal standards for the treatment of autism and to providing care and hope to families throughout the country. For more information, contact 800.778.7601 or visit www.mayinstitute.org.
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