Neurodevelopmental Hubs

Families of children with neurodevelopmental conditions often struggle to receive a confirming diagnosis early enough to get intervention services while the brain is still at its most plastic time in development. With a typical age of diagnosis at five years and a high ratio of children in Indiana to developmental behavioral pediatricians, many children miss the potential benefit of early intervention. An appropriate screening, diagnosis and referral are required to obtain services for developmental delays, many children—and their families—struggle to access appropriate support.

The Department of Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine is working with communities throughout Indiana to establish a well-integrated and evidenced statewide system of care for children with neurodevelopmental and behavioral conditions. By detecting autism in children at an earlier age, the Neurodevelopmental Behavioral System of Care is advancing the lifelong outcome for these children and their families in Indiana.

Led by Mary Ciccarelli, MD, and faculty in the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, the Neurodevelopmental Behavioral System of Care fosters family-centered partnerships among faculty physicians in pediatrics, psychiatry, child neurology, genetics and other medical specialty areas.

This cross-functional collaboration is a critical for gathering perspective and expertise that maximizes strategic planning, clinical education and research efforts. The program fosters respect, innovation and support across all team members  to deliver consistent and timely communication to and from team members using methods such as town halls, electronic communication and so forth. The team works together to pool and share resources, including personnel, funding, space, supplies, for a satisfying balance of high-quality cost-conscious efficiency as a team. 

The Neurodevelopmental Behavioral System of Care program improves long-term outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental conditions through population screening, timely diagnosis and entry into early intervention services. The program facilitates services to meet the needs of individual families and aids transition of care across a individual’s lifecourse.

Program members reach into communities to serve as advocates and participants in building awareness and planning for children with neurodevelopmental and behavioral conditions. The program promotes primary care and specialty integration and statewide cross-sector planning and collaboration.