Autism Assessment Capacity Project
Autism Assessment Capacity Project
About Us
The Autism Assessment Capacity Project (AACP) began in 2021 to investigate and address the issues contributing to the limited autism diagnostic capacity in Oregon. It is a collaboration between leaders at Health Share of Oregon, OHSU Institute on Development and Disability, Providence Children’s Development Institute, Legacy Randall’s Development & Rehabilitation Program, CareOregon, and Children’s Health Alliance and was seed-funded by Health Share of Oregon starting in 2023.
The AACP's initiatives are designed to enhance autism diagnostic capacity and access across several key areas:
Provider Level
Training primary care providers (MD, DO, PA, and NPs) with the skills and knowledge needed to offer autism diagnostic services in young children, expanding access to care for children throughout Oregon.
Click here to view the AACP Autism Assessment and Diagnostic Training for Primary Care Providers Flyer. To learn more about training opportunities, please contact aacptraining@ohsu.edu.
Family Level
Partnering with Autism ALERT, a family navigation service that supports the families of children who have been referred to an autism specialty clinic for an evaluation. Families are connected with Autism Family Navigators, who guide them through the evaluation and provide valuable resources before, during, and after the process.
Primary care practices can enroll in Autism ALERT and begin referring families by following the steps outlined in this document. Click here to view.
Payor Level
Supporting the fiscal sustainability of PCPs integrating completion of autism evaluations within their primary care practice.
System Level
Fostering collaboration amongst the Portland Metro health systems to streamline care and improve diagnostic outcomes.
“Learning from experts in the field how to assess and diagnose Autism and initiate interventions is fundamental in ensuring positive future outcomes and has truly added to my repertoire of clinical skills. Learning about therapeutic supports/community resources have also given me tools to help guide families learn and cope with the new diagnosis. I am grateful to be part of this pilot program and energized to continue to grow with it.”