The Autism Task Force

GRAYS HARBOR & NEIGHBORING COUNTIES

February 2017 Review Upcoming Events

Special
Extended Meet Time!

March 8, 2017 6-7:30 PM

Hello Team,
Kate Orville, MPH
While 3 members of the team got training in autism assessment in Co-Director MHPP
Nashville (ADOS-2), 6 of us gathered at The Arc for our February &
meeting for Exploring Community Resources. The video, Understanding Amy Carlsen, RN,
Autism: Reflections and Insights from Parents and Professionals was well Family-Professional Partnerships
received. It proved to a great discussion starter for parents and CHDD
This dynamic duo is coming to
professionals, as well as a solid informative film on autism.
share how they can potentially
Group feedback is as follows: assist us in establishing autism
This film is great introduction to families seeking assistance and services via Community Asset
information about autism. Mapping [CAM] and the MHP!
Kate & Amy have been key
It could be part of viewing possibilities when families initially
builders in autism screening
contact with the Autism Task Force (ATF).
structures in rural counties state-
It was interesting and well done. wide. Read more on page 2.
Order your own, free copy, watch online, or watch by appointment at RSVP to reserve your seat and
The Arc of Grays Harbor. free dinner via our website!
www.autismtaskforce.weebly.com
Order or view here: http://uwreadilab.com/understanding-
autism-reflections-insights/
Schedule a viewing: The Arc Grays Harbor 360.537.7000
April 12, 2017
Dr. Steven Altabet:
Available with Spanish subtitles!
Increasing Independent
Thank you Claude Ouellette and Jeff Meeks, for helping everything Thought and Behavior in Autism
run smoothly while I (Tess) was away!
Join us to hear Dr. Altabet as he
March 8 is a very important, potentially pivotal meeting! Skypes in from South Carolina.
Does this project fit into our vision for establishing a virtual He is giving his time to support
our team as we gain confidence
diagnostic center?
working with ASD. Dr. Altabet is
the former Clinical Director of
UW Tacoma Autism Center.
Read about his extensive
experience here:
http://www.lebauer.com/leba
uer-healthcare-
provider/steven-altabet-ph-d/

Autism Task Force Grays Harbor February 2017 Newsletter Page 1 of 3

 Letter from March 8th Presenters: Amy & Kate
Upcoming
Presentations
Thank you for the opportunity to send information about the
Community Asset Mapping (CAM) process and the possibility of supporting Parent Panel
the Grays Harbor and Pacific County communities. We are looking forward (May 2017)
to meeting with the Grays Harbor Autism Task Force March 8, from 6-7:30 at 1. Invite parents.
The Arc of Grays Harbor in Aberdeen. Below is a write-up about CAM and 2. Ask Questions.
how it might benefit your community. 3. Gain perspective.
University of Washington Medical Home Partnerships Project (MHPP)
Dr. Mark Dixon. (TBD)
The MHPP can help communities collaborate to better identify ways
to serve children with special health-care needs locally in their https://www.abainte
community. We can also help communities identify gaps and rnational.org/constit
opportunities for system and policy changes. uents/bios/markdixo
Through a facilitated community discussion called Community Asset n.aspx
Mapping (CAM), communities have the opportunity to look
systematically at how to do a better and more transparent job of Our list is still growing!
taking care of children with special health-care needs. o Thank you for emailing
your ideas
Communities choose an area where there is both energy and a need
_____________________
for improvements. We have worked in communities across
Washington State who have chosen to work on topics from Our Own Webpage
identifying and serving children with autism to how the community is
doing developmental screening for all children. We also recently have
www.autismtaskforce.
branched out to take this process and use it to look at family support
and information needs as well as care coordination generally. This is a weebly.com
community driven process where the community decides what is This webpage will is where
important to them. We help with process facilitation and we will eventually land for
identification of outside resources and information. all RSVPs, news, and
community resources.
Community Impact Please RSVP on this site
Our website has information on the Community Asset Mapping from now on. We will work
Project and the work of various communities across WA State. You on adding to it this year, and
getting it in working order for
can read the Winter 2016 E-Update on CAM at
the community. Please
http://medicalhome.org/wpcontent/uploads/2016/07/MHLN-e- become familiar with it so
update-Winter-2016-Master_final.pdf we can all determine:

We are looking forward to coming to Aberdeen March 8th to explore further What we like about it
if a facilitated community discussion and technical assistance follow-up might What it needs
be of value to your community. What to change

The current contents are

Kate Orville, MPH
Co-Director
Washington State Medical Home Partnerships Project
Center on Human Development and Disability
University of Washington, Seattle
Amy Carlsen, RN
Parent Professional Partnership
Center on Human Development and Disability
University of Washington, Seattle
flexible! We will set a time
this year to tighten up our
mission/vision/website
content criteria.

Autism Task Force Grays Harbor February 2017 Newsletter Page 2 of 3

 Q&A Box

Why cant I access the website?

A few have reported your computer does not go to our website! It seems to be an issue
when access is attempted on a computer with a state-based protection on it (DDA, .gov,
etc). Please try a few times, or use different computer. Email RSVPs if necessary.
autismbehavior.resources@gmail.com

We have the ADOS now. What does this mean? Who can diagnose?
You must have a specific medical license to make an autism diagnosis. Within the Center
of Excellence structure, assessments & screenings can be done by a multidisciplinary
team (the Task Force/virtual or working team is fine), and the ADOS is an assessment done
after the other screenings and pieces are completed- The ADOS is considered the gold
standard assessment helpful when determining an autism diagnosis. The person doing
the ADOS is not necessarily the diagnostician, but can complete the assessment for the
diagnostician. The completed ADOS is usually needed for Medicaid to recognize/cover
the cost of the ASD treatments. Our team is very close to having all the pieces needed.
We need a lead MD or Clinical Psych to make our team complete, and have had some
recent possibilities come our way.

Who can join the Autism Task Force?

At this point in time, any parent or professional with interest is welcome to join our monthly
meetings and contribute to our vision. As our structures become more specifically
oriented over the next 12 months we will likely branch off into 2 separate groups: The
Autism Task Force Evaluation Team and The Autism Caregiver Team.

More Questions for the Q&A Box?

Email Tess Lawson: autismbehavior.resources@gmail.com

Autism Task Force Grays Harbor February 2017 Newsletter Page 3 of 3