MGH Fellowship in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Call +1 781 860 1700
Email: ckeary@mgh.harvard.edu
Overview
The MGH Fellowship for training in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is dedicated to the integration of clinical, educational and scholarly programs related to individuals with ASD. Its clinical focus is in increased experience working with individuals with ASD of varying levels of severity and across the life course. The program’s training focus is in psychiatric care for people with ASD but also includes comprehensive training in educational, vocational, residential and legal issues specific to this population. It combines direct evidence-based clinical care with emphasis on longitudinal treatment, collaborative care within a multidisciplinary team, mentorship and patient advocacy. A scholarly component to the fellowship will involve a choice between a clinically focused quality improvement (QI) project, review article or a research project depending on fellow interest. The fellowship is sited in two separate specialty ASD clinics: the Lurie Center for Autism and the Bressler Clinical and Research Program for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Requirements
The structure of the fellowship consists of: (1) one year longitudinal clinical rotations at the Bressler Clinical and Research Program on MGH main campus and MassGeneral Hospital for Children’s Lurie Center for Autism in Lexington MA respectively; (2) outpatient and inpatient clinical consultation to Department of Mental Health (DMH) and Department of Developmental Services (DDS) clients, (3) formal didactics in comprehensive care for individuals with comorbid Autism Spectrum Disorder and psychopathology; and (4) a longitudinal mentored scholarly project related to fellow interest.
Fellows are expected
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To develop the diagnostic skills to provide comprehensive assessments of complex patients with ASD and co-occurring psychiatric illness
- Develop clinical skills to identify and diagnose psychopathology in individuals with ASD
- Learn to recognize ASD in psychiatrically referred populations
- Become familiar with instruments administered for screening, diagnostic, and severity assessment of ASD and associated psychopathology
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To increase competence in the safe usage and monitoring of a wide range of psychopharmacologic interventions
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Gain understanding of the research on clinical characterization, neuro-imaging, and treatment trials for autism and associated psychopathology.
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To increase competence in assessment of educational plans, behavioral interventions, living arrangements and other life supports and collaborate with a broad range of clinical staff to address problems in these areas.
Curriculum
Topics for Longitudinal Core Curriculum
- Approach to Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder
- The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
- Neuropsychological Testing
- Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Early Childhood
- Seizure Disorders and other Neurologic Issues in Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Gastroenterological Issues commonly seen in Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Pharmacologic Approaches in patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Accessing Medical Care for Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Neurogenetic Syndromes
- Applied Behavioral Analysis in Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Pivotal Response Treatment
- Functional Behavioral Assessment and Skills Assessment
- Community Wrap Around Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Guardianship in Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Support Systems for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Assessing School Fit for the Child/Adolescent with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Supported Employment for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Social Skills Training Programs
- Transition to Adults Services and family Impact
- Resources/Advocacy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Research Experience
Fellows will be asked to decide if they are interested in working on a clinically focused Quality Improvement (QI) project or a scholarly academic project, such as participating in a research trial or writing a review article. Fellows will be assigned a project mentor to guide them through the process of successfully completing their project. If the fellow chooses a research/academic project, mentorship will be oriented towards the submission of a manuscript to a peer reviewed journal and or to be presented as a poster at the Annual MGH Research Day or other conferences. This work will also be presented to site staff and junior residents/fellows. One day per week is protected for work on this scholarly project.
Faculty
cmcdougle@mgh.harvard.edu
Dr. McDougle is the Director of the Lurie Center for Autism with Massachusetts General Hospital for Children. He is the Nancy Lurie Marks endowed Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School
gjoshi@mgh.harvard.edu
Dr. Gagan Joshi is the Director of the Alan and Lorraine Bressler Clinical and Research Program for Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Rovee Endowed Chair in Child Psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He is also Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Harvard Medical School.
ckeary@mgh.harvard.edu
Dr. Keary is a child adolescent and adult psychiatrist at the Lurie Center for Autism where he is the co-Director for Education. He is the Program Director of the 4th year medical student elective: Multidisciplinary Clinic for Children, Adolescents & Adults w/ Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is the Behavioral Director of the Angelman Syndrome Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children.
aceranoglu@mgh.harvard.edu
Dr. Ceranoglu is the Director of the Psychiatry service at Shriners Hospital for Children in Boston. He is a child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist at the Alan & Lorraine Bressler Clinical and Research Program for Autism.
How to Apply
Applicants are asked to provide two letters of recommendation: one from a supervisor who can speak to clinical experience and enthusiasm for the care of people with developmental disorders and another from the child/adolescent psychiatry fellowship director indicating applicants have been a fellow in good standing. Interested applicants may contact Dr. McDougle at cmcdougle@mgh.harvard.edu.