Developmental Disabilities and Autism ECHO

Learn more about Autism Healthcare ECHO:

Equipping and supporting healthcare providers to improve accessibility and quality of care for individuals with ASD through the provision of a tele-mentoring program designed by and for those within the IU Health system.

We intend to systematically develop and facilitate a culturally responsive tele-mentoring program that employs a data-driven, community-engaged curriculum aimed to improve:

  • Knowledge of ASD among IUH healthcare providers.
  • Perceptions and attitudes towards care of patients with ASD among IUH healthcare providers.
  • Pedagogy (i.e., use of terminology and recommendations rooted in EBPs) among IUH healthcare providers.
  • Accessibility of care and services
  • Quality of care and services for patients with ASD
  • Provider (i.e., training and service) and patient (i.e., service) satisfaction
  • Accessibility, usability and feasibility of changes among IUH providers
  • Adoption, penetration and sustainability of changes among IUH providers.

The Developmental Disabilities and Autism ECHO is based on the Project ECHO ™ model that aims to share best practices and amplify training impact with outcomes monitored through a web-based database. The model serves to maintain responsibility for care and management of patients with local, participating providers who are guided and mentored by specialists delivering curriculum topics and peers and panelists offering insights on the cases presented. Learn more.

You will join our team of interdisciplinary experts and other participant learners over a teleconferencing platform, where you will engage in case-based learning and mentorship through discussion of real cases from learner practices.

Typical sessions follow the following general sequence:

To participate, you will need:

  • Internet access (preferably high-speed to enable uninterrupted video conferencing)
  • Laptop or desktop preferred as it will allow you see shared documents. However, a hand-held device can work as well!
  • A front-facing camera on smartphone, tablet, or computer

The ECHO Autism model provides healthcare providers with mentorship in advances in autism care across the lifespan by leading professionals at our hub at the IU School of Medicine and the IU Health System. Together, we will address the most routine to the more complex patient cases as a community of practice with practical ideas for immediate application to your medical practice without families having to wait long periods or travel long distances to seek this information from other specialists.

The ECHO Autism model provides healthcare providers with mentorship in advances in autism care across the lifespan by leading professionals at our hub at the IU School of Medicine and the IU Health System. Together, we will address the most routine to the more complex patient cases as a community of practice with practical ideas for immediate application to your medical practice without families having to wait long periods or travel long distances to seek this information from other specialists.

Explore resources created by ECHO members, including

  • Anxiety
  • Sleep
  • Tips for newly diagnosed
  • Tips for employers
  • and more!

Thank you for allowing me to participate. Hands in Autism is a positive force in our state, supporting families, students, and schools.  

-Former ECHO Panellist.