Autism is a term often heard but poorly understood. It represents a wide range of conditions and symptoms that require special expertise to diagnose and treat. Caring for a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) places extraordinary demands on the entire family.
The Olson Huff Center at Mission Children's Hospital provides quality care for children with autism and their families. We understand the challenges you face. You can count on the advanced training of our specialists to target the complex issues of autism spectrum disorders. Our experience in the evaluation and treatment of children with autism will guide you from the initial diagnosis through all aspects of the therapeutic process.
For more information call 828-213-17800 or 1-800-377-9251.
At Olson Huff Center, you'll find a supportive environment that values parents as part of the team. We respect and identify each child's unique strengths and needs. We're dedicated to building on those strengths by creating an inpidualized treatment plan specially designed for your child. Our team of experts work together to help address many of the concerns you may have after the initial ASD diagnosis:
- What's our next step?
- How do we set goals?
- What does this mean for my child's education?
- How can I get them all the help they need?
- How can I support myself through the process?
Symptoms
Identifying a child with an ASD can be a long and difficult task, but there are symptoms to look out for. If you have any concerns about your child's development, or if you notice your child showing any of the following symptoms, please contact your primary care provider.
- Not talking or using gestures to communicate by 12 months
- Poor eye contact
- Doesn't respond to simple games
- Repetitive play or movements
- Unusual insistence on specific routines
- Lack of appropriate social skills
- Loss of words or developmental skills
Diagnosis
At Mission, we focus on early diagnosis and intervention. Once your child is referred we clarify the diagnosis by:
- Careful observation, interaction and play with the child.
- Conducting Autism-specific diagnostic evaluation with front-line standardized instruments including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).
- Consulting with Mission Children's specialists in Genetics, Pediatric Neurology, GI and Endocrinology if necessary.
After careful evaluation, we discuss our findings and recommendations with the family and establish a treatment plan.
Our Services
Our team, consisting of physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers and psychologist, works together in developing treatment plans and supporting families in their journey to improve quality of life for their children. Services include:
- Behavioral analysis and therapy
- On-site therapy, including:
- Supportive family counseling
- Expert management of medications
In addition, we have strong relationships with community pediatricians and family practice physicians, schools, and state and local organizations serving children with autism. We also have a fully-integrated program with related specialties at Mission, including neurology, genetics, dentistry, pediatric GI and nutrition.
Consistent and appropriate intervention may lead to improved functioning, increased skills, and measurable results in children with autism. Just as each child is unique, the rate of progress varies from one individual to the next. Our approach is designed to work with families throughout their journey to improve quality of life for their children with autism, at home, at school and in the community. Mission's team approach includes:
- Physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers and psychologists at Olson Huff.
- Fully integrated specialties at Mission - neurology, genetics, dentistry, pediatric GI and nutrition.
- Established relationships with community physicians, schools, and state and local organizations serving children with autism.
- Parents, family and caregivers.
- Comprehensive services at Olson Huff address the core issues of autism spectrum disorders. We're prepared to help your child with:
- Behavioral analysis and therapy
- On-site therapy, including:
- Speech therapy
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Supportive family counseling
- Expert management of medications
Family Support Network
Mission Hospital is proud to be the local provider of the Family Support Network (FSN) developed by the University of North Carolina. This is where we create connections between families facing the reality of parenting children with special needs. Through FSN you'll receive emotional support, share practical tips, obtain valuable information, and have the opportunity to participate in workshops
Referral and Contact Information
We see children by referral only. Please talk to your primary care provider if you believe your child could benefit from our services. Physicians can download the referral form at missionreferrals.org. Complete and fax the referral form, along with the child's medical records and pertinent information. For more information call 828-213-1780 or 1-800-377-9251
