Yale Child Study Center
Developmental Disabilities Clinic Spearheads Autism Research
Yale University is one of the United States’ most prestigious universities. The Yale Child Study Center, housed within the Yale School of Medicine, has stated that its mission is “to understand child development, social, behavioral, and emotional adjustment, and psychiatric disorders and to help children and families in need of care.”
The Developmental Disabilities Clinic is just one of the sections of the Yale Child Study Center and looks at providing services to children with an autism spectrum disorder as well as their families. According to the Yale Developmental Disabilities Clinic website, the clinic has been designated as an Autism Center of Excellence by the National Institutes of Health.
Services Provided
The clinic provides services for children from infancy through age 21 that are on the autism spectrum or have a similar developmental disability. Families are provided top notch service by clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, child psychiatrists, speech-language pathologists as well as social workers and even geneticists.
Baby Sibs Study
The Yale Developmental Disabilities Clinic is working on a study of younger siblings which is being funded by the Simons Foundation as well as the National Institute for Child Health and Development. The study looks at children between birth and age six months who either have an older sibling with an autism spectrum disorder or a child who is not listed at risk for autism or another developmental disability.
The research is being conducted in order to provide a better understanding of the social ramifications of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and how they may present in very young children. The ultimate goal of the study is to allow for better diagnostic tools in identifying ASDs in very young children.
Autism Assessments
The clinic does not only participate in research studies; families seeking one of the most comprehensive autism assessments available in the United States can make an appointment with the clinic for their child.
According to the clinic literature, “Comprehensive evaluations are provided by a multidisciplinary team of highly experienced clinicians. These evaluations take place at the Child Study Center over a two-day period, and focus on issues of diagnosis and educational programming/intervention.”
The assessment is broken into three parts: a psychological exam, a psychiatric assessment and a full speech-language workup. At the assessment’s culmination, a comprehensive report is prepared for the family and usually runs upward of 25 pages. It is important to note that the clinic does not accept insurance. To be placed on the clinic’s waiting list, contact Betty Litto at (203) 785-3420.
Yale University’s Developmental Disabilities Clinic is highly regarded by autism professionals across the United States as well as the world. Although the wait may be quite long, and the fees unexpectedly high, families can be assured that the evaluation they receive from the clinic is top-notch.
Source: Yale Child Study Center
