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What is Project ECHO Autism?

Project ECHO Autism is an online learning and guided practice model that is revolutionizing professional health education. The program links clinicians practicing in local communities (“spokes”) with specialist care teams (“hubs”). It is hosted in a teleconsultation format involving a mix of didactic presentations and in-depth case consultations.

Autism affects 1 out of every 36 children in the state of North Carolina. Referrals to specialty clinics often involve travel and long waitlists for families. We want to support local primary care providers and local behavioral health providers to improve their knowledge and confidence in providing evidence-based strategies and treatment to individuals with ASD.

Medical Project ECHO Autism:  North Carolina medical providers including pediatricians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses in primary care practices in North Carolina who have individuals with an autism spectrum disorder of any age on their caseload and who would like to develop their expertise in working with this population. Send an email to teacch_echomd@med.unc.edu indicating your profession, location of practice, and express an interest to sign up!


Mental Health Project ECHO Autism:  North Carolina behavioral health providers including mental health providers, counselors, psychologists, and social workers who have individuals with autism spectrum disorder of any age on their caseload and who would like to develop their expertise with this population. Send an email to teacch_echomh@med.unc.edu indicating your profession, location of practice, and express an interest to sign up!

The cost to participate is Free! Continuing education, including medical and Category A, credits as well as level IV MOC credits will also be provided free of charge. 

  • In a recent survey of families with children with Autism (Spark for Autism, 2020) 63% of families have reported service disruption due to the pandemic with most noticing a negative impact on their children’s behavior.
  • 82% of families reported noticing a negative impact on their child’s mental and emotional health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The use of essential child health services, including developmental screenings for autism at well-child visits and mental health supports, has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels despite the relaxation of “lock-down” guidelines.

To participate you need a device (desktop computer, laptop, phone, tablet) with a microphone, camera, and internet access

Participation includes 90-minute teleconsultation events held 2 times monthly. ECHO sessions are typically held on Mondays around lunchtime.

UNC TEACCH Autism Program, in partnership with EL Futuro, announces Project ECHO Autism for Mental Health Providers: Supporting the Latine Community. A new, 10-session Project ECHO series aimed to provide evidence-based intervention strategies to help tailor intervention for Latine school-aged clients with autism. 

One out of every 36 children in North Carolina is autistic. Referrals to specialty clinics often involve travel and long waitlists for families and many Latine families report barriers to accessing care and have 50% less follow-up with referrals. We want to support community mental health providers to improve their knowledge and confidence in providing evidence-based strategies and treatment to Latine children and adolescents with ASD. These sessions are open to mental health providers in North Carolina who work with school-age and adolescent Latine clients and who would like to develop their expertise in working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder.


Your commitment to participation would include 90-minute teleconsultation events held two times monthly beginning in APRIL 2024. Each session will take place on the 1st and 3rd Mondays each month from 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM.  Specific dates will be confirmed in your registration email. Didactics will include the following:

1. Understanding Autism in the Latine Community – 04/01/2024
2. Screening, Evaluations, Referrals, and Talking to Families about ASD – 04/15/2024
3. Partnering with Latine Families in Therapy: Tips for Parent Coaching – 05/06/2024
4. Partnering with Latine Families through the Educational Process – 05/20/2024

5. Tailoring CBT for ASD and ADHD- Strategies to Support Executive Functioning – 06/03/2024
6. Social Communication Strategies for Autistic Clients – 06/17/2024
7. Autism Resources for Latine Families – 07/01/2024
8. Tailoring CBT for Mood Disorders in ASD – Emotion Regulation – 07/15/2024
9. Tailoring CBT for Mood Disorders in ASD – Predictability & Exposure – 08/05/2024
10. Transitioning to Adulthood – 08/19/2024

Register

Spring 2024 Project ECHO Autism Medical Opportunity: Registration for Medical Project ECHO Autism is currently open for primary care providers in North Carolina who work with individuals with an autism spectrum disorder of any age in their caseload and who would like to develop their expertise in working with this population.

Your commitment to participation would include 90-minute teleconsultation events held two times monthly beginning in April 2024. Each session will take place on the 2nd and 4th Mondays from 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM. Continuing medical education (CME) credits, contact hours, and CEUs will be provided for attendance and MOC IV credits will be provided if the project requirements are met. The MOC IV project is voluntary, and the requirements are discussed in the first session. If you have questions about CME or MOC IV, please contact Lisa Renfrow at Lisa.Renfrow@arealahec.org.  There is no charge to you for CME or MOC IV credits. Specific dates are as follows:

1.  Autism Screening (MCHAT) and Follow-Up – 04/08/2024
2.  What is Autism – 04/22/2024
3.  Evidence-Based Interventions for ASD – 05/13/2024
4.  ADHD and ASD-Differential Dx and Medication Management – 06/10/2024
5.  Anxiety and ASD-Differential DX and Medication Management – 06/24/2024

6.  Supporting Families – 07/08/2024
7.  Irritability and Agitation in Patients with ASD – 07/22/2024
8.  Navigating Services – 08/12/2024
9.  Pediatric Feeding Disorders in ASD – 08/26/2024
10. Understanding Access to Special Education Services – 09/09/2024
11. Sleep and Autism – 09/23/2024
12. 
Transition to Adulthood – 10/14/2024

Register

Please include your profession and the location of the practice.