Missouri Autism Rapid Response Initiative

• Could My Child Have Autism? Es posible Que Mi Hijo Tenga Autismo?
• Central Missouri Resource Brochure
• Southwest MO Resource Brochure
• Southeast MO Resource Brochure
• Northwest MO Resource Brochure
• Eastern MO Resource Brochure
• Missouri State House of Delegates Physician's Resolution
• Rapid Response Members
  

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What do we know about Autism Spectrum Disorders?

• Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disabilities defined by significant delays in social interaction and communication.
• Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that appears during the first three years of life. Studies show that ASD can be diagnosed as early as 18 months.
• The current autism prevalence rate in children is about 1 in 110. ¹
• The diagnosis of autism has increased more than tenfold in the last decade.

What is Central Missouri’s response?

The Central Missouri Autism Rapid Response Initiative is a collaborative, community-based group of parents and agency providers in the mid-Missouri area who aim to:

• Increase the number of children who are routinely screened for Autism Spectrum Disorders,
• Improve access to timely and accurate diagnosis for individuals at risk for ASD,
• Improve access to timely and effective interventions for individuals with ASD, and
• Provide family members with education and supports.

Begun in 2006, the Initiative is sponsored by the Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities Office of Autism Services. ² 

Accomplishments of the Central Missouri Rapid Response Initiative

• Established a community network that supports comprehensive and coordinated care
• Developed two online resource brochures for families and providers
• Developed two training modules: Understanding Autism and ASD Screening and Referral
• Contributed to the development of the Office of Autism Services’ “Navigating Autism Services:  A Community Guide for Missouri” for families and providers
• Partnered with the Missouri Medical Association to develop a resolution to encourage all physicians to include autism screenings in well-child visits no later than 18 months of age
• Worked with the First Steps program to expand eligibility for early intervention services to all children with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.
• Served as an advisory group for the development and implementation of a federal grant entitled Rapid Response Project: Implementing Missouri’s ASD Roadmap that expands this project to other areas of Missouri.

Impact of the Central Missouri Rapid Response Initiative

• Increase in trainee knowledge about autism and screening and referral practices ³
• Increase in the number of children evaluated for ASD ⁴
• Improved provision of education and supports to family members ⁵
• Positive impact on communication and collaboration among community professionals ⁵

Next steps for the Central Missouri Rapid Response Initiative

• Develop trainings on autism interventions and youth transition
• Enhance the focus on transition resources for youth with ASD and their families
• Contribute to the development of Rapid Response collaboratives in other areas of the state

Central Missouri Rapid Response Initiative Representation

• Parents
• Autism Speaks
• Boone County Family Resources
• Central Missouri Community Action – Head Start
• Central Missouri Regional Office
• Child Care Aware of Missouri
• Columbia Public Schools
• Columbia Public Schools – Early Childhood Special Education
• Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
• Department of Health and Senior Services Healthy Families & Youth
• Department of Mental Health Division of Developmental Disabilities Office of Autism Services
• First Steps
• Heart of Missouri United Way
• Judevine Center for Autism
• Missouri School Board Association
• MU Center for Family Policy & Research
• MU Human Environmental Sciences – Extension
• MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Parents as Teachers – Columbia
• Parents as Teachers – National Center
• ParentLink
• Project ACCESS
• Project Reach
• St. Louis Public Schools
• St. Louis University
• TouchPoint Autism Services
• University of Missouri-Columbia
• University of Missouri-Columbia Sinclair School of Nursing

Footnotes

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Retrieved on 12/2/10 from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/features/counting-autism.html.
² See Missouri’s Autism Research and Response Agenda, July 2003, www.dmh.mo.gov/mrdd/progs/autism/mara.pdf
³ Missouri Rapid Response module pre-and post-test results from the Report on the Missouri Autism Rapid Response Initiative. July 2009 – June 2010.
⁴ Governor’s Recommendation to Reduce the Autism Diagnostic Wait List FY10 End of Year Report. July 2009 – June 2010.
⁵ Central Missouri Rapid Response member survey, July 2010

 

See Missouri’s Autism Research and Response Agenda.