Program Description

The number of individuals diagnosed with an ASD has been steadily on the rise. There is a gap between what is known and the availability of high-quality supports and services for children with ASD and their families. Many primary care and early childhood providers are not trained to identify these early signs. There are: long waits between suspicion of an ASD, referral, and confirmed diagnosis; critical shortages of qualified personnel to screen for and diagnose ASD, workforce shortages in qualified direct care providers at all levels; and a lack the necessary knowledge and skills related to evidence-based practices.

Goals and Objectives
The aim of the New Hampshire Leadership Education in Autism Spectrum Disorders Program is to increase early screening, diagnosis, and effective family-centered treatment of children with ASD.

OVERALL GOAL
 Increase the number of highly qualified health-care and education professionals who have the knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities to provide evidenced-based services for children with or suspected of having ASD and their families, including screening, referral, diagnosis, assessment, and interventions.

  • Goal 1: Implement the NH LEASD curriculum for an interdisciplinary group of long-term
    trainees and intermediate-term trainees to develop their knowledge, skills, and leadership
    abilities in ASD.
  • Goal 2: Implement a research agenda in the area of ASD and to disseminate findings from
    individual studies statewide, regionally, and nationally via a minimum of six (6) refereed
    articles.
  • Goal 3: Collaborate with key statewide stakeholders, including policymakers, state agencies,
    service organizations, families, and self-advocates implement, evaluate, and sustain an ASD
    Leadership Network.

Seven medical practices have been accepted for the Learning Collaborative initiative which includes early screening within their practices. In addition, four professionals will be chosen for the 2009-10 traineeship in Advanced ASD studies. Please see the Educational Pathways chart for a better understanding of the  potential tracks for learning through this grant.

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Program Partners

Children's Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD)

Center for Medical Home Improvement

University of New Hampshire

Institute on Disability / UCED

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Program Faculty and Contacts

John B. Moeschler, MD
Program Director
Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
One Medical Center Drive
Lebanon, NH 03756

Rae Sonnenmeier, Ph.D.
LEASD Interdisciplinary Training Director
Institute on Disability / UCED
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH 03824-9987
PHONE (603) 862-0561 FAX (603) 862-0034
raes@unh.edu

Ann Dillon, M.Ed., OTL
Coordinator of Family Centered Training & Services
Institute on Disability / UCED
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH 03824-9987
PHONE (603) 862-0561 FAX (603) 862-0034
ann.dillon@unh.edu

Amy Frechette
LEASD Faculty and Self-Advocacy
Institute on Disability / UCED
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH 03824-9987
PHONE (603) 862-0561 FAX (603) 862-0034
amy.frechette@unh.edu

Julie Smith
LEASD Family Faculty

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Resources & Links

Introduction to NH-LEND and NH-LEASD Programs

NH-LEASD Program Application

Educational Pathways Framework for NH-LEASD Program Trainees

New Hampshire LEND Program Website

US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau (HRSA) Website

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