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 Rotation

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.

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.