Mental Health Connection

Care Options Child Study Center Cook Children’s Medical Center (Departments of

Psychology, Psychiatry, and Rehabilitation) Easter Seals of North Texas ECI Hand in Hand MHMR of Tarrant County Texas Council on Autism The Art Station Parents

Improve early identification/screening of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Identify gaps in service, especially in early identification/navigation

Collaborate/network among stakeholders to improve service delivery

Identify gaps among key agencies

Survey conducted over 3 months◦ N = 120*◦ Ages 0-3 = 46.6%◦ Ages 4-6 = 53.4%

Participants:◦ Child Study Center = 25%◦ Cook Children’s Medical Center (Psychology and

Rehabilitation) = 49%◦ Easter Seals = 26%

*ECI of North Tarrant County (data not included)

Who conducted the screening?◦ PCP/Pediatrician/other MD = 35%

◦ ISD = 29.7%

◦ ECI = 21.6%

◦ Other health care provider (ex: Speech Therapists, Psychologists) = 13.5%

Previous Treatment:◦ Speech Therapy = 45%◦ Occupational Therapy = 25%◦ ABA = 7%◦ Physical Therapy = 6%◦ PPCD = 4%◦ Medication = 4%◦ Counseling = 2%◦ Social Skills Group = 2%◦ ECI (non specified) = 2%◦ Equine Therapy = 2%◦ Unknown = 2%

HIPPA restrictions 2 months data collection 184 cases of suspected ASD identified Distribution across Tarrant County:

◦ Fort Worth = 22.5%◦ N/NE Tarrant = 26.25%◦ South = 10%◦ West/NW = 16.25%◦ East/SE = 25%

Exit from ECI system

Too few Medicaid providers (Speech, ABA, psychologists)

System navigation

Pilot program for adults TEA DADS/DARS Autism Resource Center CSC ECI Fewer services in southern part of Tarrant

County Navigator