Autism Treatment Track

APPIC Program Match Number: 150916

Number of Internship Positions: 2

The Autism Treatment Track (ATT) is dedicated to training focused on the treatment of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. Training includes treatment, assessment and advocacy experiences, all of which are based on a foundation of evidenced-based and family-centered care. Traditional supervision, group didactics, case conferences, and a professional development series are included in the training year. Clinical work is primarily conducted through the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD), but often takes place in home, community, and school settings.

Treatment

Treatment experiences throughout the internship year are varied and include a range of behavioral intervention services and psychotherapy focused individual and group services for youth with ASD and their families.

Two primary, year-long, treatment experiences include 1) Caregiver Coaching and 2) Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI), Outpatient Psychotherapy (OPP), Complex Behavior (CBP), or Adolescent Transition (ATP). A secondary, 6 month, rotation is chosen from one of the other CASD clinical programs (EIBI, OPP, CBP, ATP) that is not the intern’s primary rotation. Interaction and collaboration with other therapeutic providers (e.g. behavioral intervention aides, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, post-doctoral fellows, speech therapists, physicians) and educational personnel are involved with treatment experiences.

Assessment

The intern is involved in initial diagnostic intakes to identify a client’s needs and to inform treatment recommendations accordingly. Behaviorally based assessments including but not limited to Verbal Behavior Milestones and Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP), Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Functional Analysis (FA) may be utilized as appropriate. Each intern also engages in a standardized psychological assessment rotation at CASD aimed at documenting a client’s progress in treatment, client’s current level of functioning, and ongoing diagnostic status.

Advocacy

Advocacy work is central to the services offered at CASD. As they arise within treatment cases, interns will participate in advocacy by attending client IEP meetings, making school visits on a client’s behalf, coordinating and collaborating with outside entities, and assisting with or leading community trainings

Hours and Additional Considerations

The ATT interns work five days per week. There is no “on call” coverage. The ATT interns will typically work 40-50 hours per week. Given the nature of the work and approach to intervention, all interns must have a vehicle, driver's license and meet minimum insurance requirements.

Sample Weekly Schedule

CASD Faculty

All members of the CASD faculty take part in each intern’s training in varying degrees, including clinical supervision, mentoring, and/or didactic training.

• Jacquie Wynn, PhD, BCBA-D, COBA
  Director

• Cara Inglis, PsyD, BCBA, COBA
  Psychology Supervisor, Adolescent Transition Program

• Karen Tabern, PsyD
  Psychology Supervisor, Outpatient Psychotherapy Program

• Anya Froelich, PsyD, BCBA, COBA
  Psychology Supervisor, Behavioral Intervention Program 

• Christine Eichelberger, PhD, BCBA-D, COBA
  Psychologist, Behavioral Intervention Program

• Ashley Showalter, PhD, BCBA-D, COBA
  Psychologist, Behavioral Intervention Program

• Jessie Richard, PhD, BCBA-D, COBA
  Psychologist, Adolescent Transition and Behavioral Intervention Program

• Carla Luevano, PhD, BCBA, COBA
  Psychologist, Adolescent Transition Program

• Kristen Dell'Armo, PhD
  Psychologist, Adolescent Transition Program
• Erin Fastzkie, PhD, NCSP
  Psychologist, Outpatient Psychotherapy Program
• Jordan Sasiela, PhD
  Psychologist, Outpatient Psychotherapy
• Tess Lewis, PsyD
  Psychologist, Behavioral Health Intervention Program
• Jenna Pittenger, PhD, NCSP
  Psychologist, Behavior Intervention Program
• Benjamin Thomas, PhD, BCBA-D, COBA
  Psychologist, Complex Behavior Program
• Jamie Jones, PhD, BCBA, COBA
  Psychologist, Complex Behavior Program

Successful Applicants

Invitations to interview for the ATT position will be extended to applicants who typically have the following:

• Prior work with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Therapy experience applying behavioral interventions (either direct or through parent coaching)
• Experience supporting clients and families in the process of making behavioral change