UCLA Child and Adult Neurodevelopmental Clinic

Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluations
This evaluation is based on best practice standards and incorporate psychodiagnostic and treatment considerations drawn from current research in the field. Assessments include measures of cognitive and developmental functioning, psychodiagnostic interviews [such as autism diagnostic measures that includes the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2 (ADOS-2)], and supplemental measures of neurocognitive functioning, achievement, projective measures, and interpretation of informant report measures. In addition, family will meet with a clinical social worker in order to effectively conceptualize the client in their current context and determine strengths and potential barriers in optimizing treatment recommendations.

Comprehensive Treatment Evaluations
This evaluation focuses on reviewing the existing treatment and educational program established by the family. It involves direct observation and structured, standardized measures to examine areas of strength and weakness to determine treatment strategies and educational resources. These evaluations may also include providing intervention strategies to the child and family. The recommendations are shared with the family and existing providers.

Consultations
These brief consultations are geared toward families who do not require an in-depth comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, but rather are seeking clarification or recommendations for diagnosis or treatment (medication and non-medication). These consultations do not provide the more in-depth assessments conducted with our comprehensive assessments.

Psychiatric Medication Evaluations and Treatment
These services are provided by child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychiatry fellows to determine the most effective medication to treat youth and adults who present with co-occurring behavior problems, inattention, anxiety, and depression. Ongoing medication management is also available.

Neurological Evaluations and Medication Treatment
These services are provided by a pediatric neurologist with a specialty in ASD and related genetic conditions that include a neurological evaluation, consultation, and medication treatment.

Resource Coordination and Support
This service is provided by a clinical social worker and geared towards individuals and families who need more in-depth support around education and eligibility in accessing community resources. These consultations will include necessary information to be better consumers and advocates within our complex treatment system.

JASPER (Ages 18 months - 8 years)
Developed at UCLA, the Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement and Regulations (JASPER) Program is a fully developed and tested therapeutic intervention for children with ASD. JASPER targets early attention, emotion and behavior regulations, social communication and language skills of young children with ASD through the naturalistic behavioral interactions with therapists and caretakers. The CAN Clinic offers initial assessment and 8 individualized treatment sessions of JASPER. The program focuses its efforts on young children (ages 18 months to 6 years) with an emphasis on parent training, as well as older children (5-8 years old) who remain minimally verbal and would benefit from the intervention in combination with a speech-generating device (e.g. iPad). To learn more about JASPER, please visit: http://www.kasarilab.org/treatments/jasper Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Using evidence-based interventions, youth from preschool ages to young adults with a social development concern associated with autism spectrum disorder, genetic conditions, or developmental delay are provided with time-limited (between 16 to 24 sessions) and focused treatment provided once weekly on an outpatient basis to target areas such as co-occurring anxiety, depression, social skills, behavioral flexibility, and other concerning behaviors. A family-based model of treatment is emphasized along with behavioral and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).

NEW - AARC Coping Skills Program for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (Ages 4-6)
This program is being developed by the CAN Clinic in partnership with KidsConnect and aims to improve emotion and behavior regulation skills in preschool-aged children with ASD and significant emotion dysregulation. Small groups meet for 2 to 3 sessions per week and include a parent and child component. Sessions are designed to teach coping skills to improve emotion regulation, decrease aggression, and improve flexibility and compliance utilizing modified cognitive behavioral therapy. Families are randomly assigned to receive treatment immediately or after 3 months. The CAN Clinic is currently screening participants to participate in groups starting in September 2022. For more information and to participate, please contact the UCLA CAN Clinic by email at CANClinic@mednet.ucla.edu and include AARC Coping Skills Program in the Subject Line.

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Teen Coping Skills Program: Group-Based Treatment for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Ages 12-17) - ON HOLD
This group is targeted for teenagers with ASD from ages 12 to 17 (Middle School to High School) who have fluent verbal abilities and can participate in a small group discussion.This group treatment teaches teenagers how to manage stress and anxiety, as well as difficult feelings, including feeling sad and overly critical of themselves by learning healthy coping strategies. Treatment will be based on cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), an evidence-based intervention to treat anxiety and depression. Adult Treatments

Autistic Adults: Independence and Mental Health (AAIM) (Age: Adults)
Autistic Adults: Independence and Mental Health (AAIM) is a 16-week education and support group for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) designed to both inform and provide strategies around challenges that may arise in daily living. Topics will include: building independence, goal setting, coping skills, mindfulness, neurodiversity, and more. We are currently screening participants for groups starting in fall 2022. For more information, or to participate in the screening, please contact the CAN Clinic by email at CANClinic@mednet.ucla.edu.