Clinical Rotations – Child/Developmental Disabilities Track

Clinical Rotations – Child/Developmental Disabilities Track

** Interns in this track may select rotations available in the Adult General Track based on availability and training goals.

a. Intervention Rotation

Pediatric Anxiety Treatment Center at Hall Mercer (PATCH). PATCH provides evidence-based assessment and treatment for youth ages 5-18 with anxiety and related disorders at Hall Mercer Community Mental Health Center. PATCH therapists are trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with an emphasis on exposure therapy, the most demonstrated-effective psychotherapy for these disorders. CBT involves a partnership between the therapist and family and helps children learn to modify their thoughts and behaviors so that anxiety no longer has control over their lives. We treat a range of presenting concerns, including generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety, specific phobia, school anxiety, panic attacks, selective mutism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, tics, and trichotillomania. PATCH provides a unique opportunity for interns to deliver evidence-based practices within a community mental health setting. Many cases in the PATCH program have complex comorbidities and require clinicians to engage in collaboration with other behavioral health providers, such as psychiatrists and case managers. Primary supervisors: Keiran Rump, Ph.D.; Julie Worley, Ph.D.

b. Assessment Rotations

Penn Medicine Autism Clinic. The Penn Medicine Autism Clinic provides initial diagnostic assessments as well as comprehensive behavioral/psychological evaluations for patients with prior ASD diagnoses for individuals from 12 months of age through adulthood. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in parent interviews, child assessment, feedback sessions, treatment planning, and report writing. Supervision is provided by a licensed psychologist.

Autism Assessment Clinic at PATCH (Pediatric Anxiety Treatment Clinic at Hall Mercer) The assessment clinic at PATCH offers interns a valuable opportunity to apply evidence-based assessment practices while working in a community mental health setting. PATCH receives referrals for complex cases from across the City of Philadelphia. The assessment clinic provides initial diagnostic assessments for youth ages 2-18; most youth served are on medical assistance.  Interns will have the opportunity to participate in parent interviews, child assessment, feedback sessions, and report writing. Supervision is provided by a licensed psychologist.  About PATCH | Hall-Mercer Community Mental Health Center | Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

c. Consultation Rotations

School District of Philadelphia: Autism Support A team of consultants from the Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research provide ongoing consultation and support to the School District of Philadelphia’s programming for students with ASD. Consultation regarding the use of evidence-based practices for students with ASD, including classroom and behavior management, the use of visual supports and daily routines to support student engagement, and individualized instruction based in applied behavior analysis, is provided to teachers and staff within kindergarten-through-fifth grade autism support classrooms throughout the School District of Philadelphia. Consultation is also provided at the school-wide level to improve opportunities for inclusion for children with ASD within the regular education setting. Interns will participate in the delivery of school-based consultation to improve teachers’ use of evidence-based practices for their students with ASD. Supervision is provided by a licensed psychologist.

Armellino Center of Excellence for Williams Syndrome (ACE for WS) The goal of ACE for WS is to bridge the gap between pediatric and adult care for individuals with Williams syndrome by providing comprehensive services across the lifespan. As part of this rotation, interns will serve as the behavioral health provider within a multidisciplinary child and adult clinic, conducting brief assessments and consultation. Interns will also collaborate closely with other professionals, including cardiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and psychiatrists. In addition, interns will carry a small outpatient therapy caseload. Supervision is provided by a licensed psychologist.  https://www.med.upenn.edu/williams-syndrome/