Improving Care for Children with Autism: Insights from Our Recent Discussion
In our October webinar, Jamey Harvey, CEO of Agilian, brought together a panel of experts: Steven Merahn, MD, Founder and Chief Medical Officer of UNIFI Autism Care; Lorene Reagan, RN, MS, Director of Public Relations at IntellectAbility; and Kristin R. Parker, Senior Director of Growth and Strategic Initiatives at Fidelis Care NJ. Together, they explored the challenges and opportunities in providing healthcare for children with autism and intellectual developmental disabilities (IDDs). Their conversation revealed critical insights into the needs of these families and highlighted the importance of tailored approaches to care.
Here is the link to Medicaid Expert Insights: Improving Care for Children with Autism for your viewing!
Key Highlights
Specialized Care Coordination: Centralized support is vital for easing family burdens, with dedicated contacts improving provider responsiveness.
Addressing Diagnostic Overshadowing: Healthcare professionals must recognize when other health issues are dismissed as autism symptoms, as this can lead to serious risks.
Continuity of Care: Smooth transitions from pediatric to adult healthcare are essential. Health plans should create effective "on-ramps" for young adults to access appropriate services.
Leveraging Data for Better Outcomes: Sharing comprehensive medication lists can prevent care gaps and ensure alignment among healthcare providers.
Looking Ahead
This discussion highlighted the importance of listening to the experiences of families and children as we strive to improve healthcare services. By focusing on specialized care coordination, addressing diagnostic overshadowing, ensuring continuity of care, and enhancing data sharing, we can create a more effective and inclusive healthcare system for children with autism and intellectual disabilities.
For organizations interested in tackling these challenges, particularly around data solutions and continuity of care, we invite you to reach out. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of families navigating autism and IDDs complexities.
We’ve compiled a list of follow-up resources mentioned during the session that we believe you will find helpful.
Autistic Health: Embracing a Holistic Approach, written by panelist Steven Merahn, highlights the importance of a holistic approach to health for individuals with autism, which involves addressing not just medical needs, but also emotional, social, and environmental factors to enhance overall well-being.
Sepsis death of autistic Norfolk boy is ‘watershed moment’, addresses the tragic death of a boy with autism in Norfolk due to sepsis, underscoring the urgent need for improved healthcare and support for individuals with autism to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Care Coordination of Autism: Challenges and Strategies, outlines the critical role of care coordination in supporting individuals with autism, emphasizing the need for collaborative approaches among healthcare providers, families, and educators to ensure comprehensive and effective care.
Championing Neurodiversity Inclusion and Acceptance, advocates for championing neurodiversity inclusion and acceptance to foster environments that celebrate differences and empower individuals to achieve their full potential.
Tools for Successful Healthcare Transition, outlines key tools and strategies to support a successful healthcare transition for individuals with autism, highlighting the importance of preparation, communication, and collaboration among caregivers, healthcare providers, and support systems.