Effectively supporting children with autism and other neurodivergence requires a team approach. While Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has many benefits on its own, a more holistic approach can often result in better outcomes. Comprehensive care empowers children with the greatest quality of life possible.
What is Multidisciplinary Care?
Multidisciplinary care is a therapeutic approach where a child works with multiple therapy providers. They come from various specialties, such as ABA, speech, and occupational therapy. The team collaborates, each bringing unique knowledge, skills, and techniques to the table. When all multidisciplinary therapists work within a single organization, it becomes easier for the team to collaborate and improve outcomes. This comprehensive approach addresses every aspect of the child’s development.
Who is Involved in a Multidisciplinary Care Team?
Each child’s care team will vary, depending on their particular needs. A multidisciplinary care team may consist of two or more of the following providers.
ABA Providers
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) providers help children learn crucial life skills. These include self-advocacy, social skills, and communication, among many others. When children engage in behaviors that hinder learning, ABA therapists implement Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) to reduce those behaviors and teach more adaptive ones.
ABA therapy teams typically consist of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and one or more Behavior Technicians (BTs) or Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). The BT works 1:1 with the child, teaching skills, often through play. The BCBA conducts assessments, writes the treatment plan and programming, provides caregiver training, and trains and supervises technicians. Sometimes, an ABA team also has a Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) or another mid-level provider who helps the BCBA with their duties.
Speech Therapy Providers
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) help children improve their communication by targeting speech, language, and communication skills. Speech therapists may also work on challenges related to eating and drinking.
A speech therapy team typically consists of a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA).
Physical Therapy Providers
Physical therapists focus on improving children’s physical strength, balance, coordination, motor planning, and motor skills. They support children in developing the skills necessary to engage in play, navigate their environment, and perform functional activities.
A physical therapy team typically consists of a Physical Therapist (PT) and a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA).
Occupational Therapy Providers
Occupational therapists help children improve their quality of life by assisting them in developing the skills for everyday activities, such as playing, eating, and dressing. They target many skills, such as fine motor skills, emotional regulation, and sensory processing.
An occupational therapy team typically consists of an Occupational Therapist (OT) and a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
Mental Health Providers
Some multidisciplinary care teams include mental health providers, such as psychologists or psychiatrists. These professionals address mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, and emotional regulation.
What are the Benefits of Multidisciplinary Care?
A one-size-fits-all approach to autism care is not practical. With diverse needs, many children benefit from multiple therapeutic approaches. Coordinating interventions within a multidisciplinary clinic allows for a more streamlined approach to interdisciplinary collaboration.
There are numerous benefits of multidisciplinary care. While no two children’s experiences are the same, here are some main benefits of receiving care from a multidisciplinary team.
- Holistic Development–Children with autism have a wide range of needs. Some may need extra support communicating effectively, while others have more substantial needs. With multiple providers supporting the child across various domains, the team can address the whole child, ensuring holistic development. The child can thrive with support for their communication, social, behavioral, physical, cognitive, sensory, and mental health needs.
- Improved Collaboration–When clinicians from different fields work as part of a multidisciplinary team, they can share insights and experiences that lead to a more cohesive and effective treatment experience.
- Enhanced Outcomes–Children with autism are at a high risk of having unmet healthcare needs (Strunk et al., 2017). By implementing a more comprehensive care plan, the child can achieve better outcomes, considering all areas of development.
- Improved Client and Caregiver Satisfaction–Multidisciplinary care under one roof removes many barriers to comprehensive care for parents and caregivers. For example, there is less travel time and scheduling coordination to navigate. In turn, parents experience higher satisfaction. Further, by enhancing collaboration, parents feel more informed about their child’s treatment.
- Support for Co-occurring Conditions– Many children with autism experience co-occurring medical and mental health conditions. For example, 50-80% of children with autism experience chronic sleep challenges. Additionally, roughly 85% of children with autism experience co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses, such as ADHD, anxiety, or depression (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 2017). Multidisciplinary care allows for support for these and other challenges.
- Interdisciplinary Support–Bringing each professional’s expertise together empowers clinicians with interdisciplinary support. For example, if a child exhibits behaviors that interfere with learning skills in speech therapy, the ABA team can support the speech therapist with an individualized behavior plan. Similarly, if a child experiences sensory processing challenges that make attending to learning challenging, an OT can help other therapists by offering strategies to address the child’s sensory processing.
- Creating a Supportive Environment–When multiple providers offer strategies and recommendations based on their expertise, they can help families create a more supportive environment for their children, improving their life experiences outside of therapy sessions.
Is Multidisciplinary Care Best for All Learners?
Despite its immense benefits, multidisciplinary care may not be necessary or the best fit for each child. Every child is unique. While some may need PT, OT, and ABA, others may thrive with only speech therapy. Children are evaluated during an initial assessment to identify their specific needs. Our providers can cross-refer to other disciplines to ensure our patients get all the services that they need while under our care. Based on the results of this assessment, their care team will create a plan that outlines the therapies and goals that will help them live their most fulfilling lives.
Enhance Outcomes with CompleatKidz
CompleatKidz team of ABA, Speech, Occupational, and Physical therapists believe in the power of collaboration. With all pediatric therapeutic services under one roof, we are dedicated to improving the quality of life for our learners. Click ‘Contact Us’ in the upper right corner to learn more about our services or career opportunities.
Ashleigh Evans, MS, BCBA
References
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (2017). Autism’s frequent companions: comorbidities with ASD. https://www.chop.edu/news/autism-s-clinical-companions-frequent-comorbidities-asd
Fulceri, F., Gila, L., Caruso, A., Micai, M., Romano, G., & Scattoni, M. L. (2023). Building Bricks of Integrated Care Pathway for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076222
LaFrance, D. L., Weiss, M. J., Kazemi, E., Gerenser, J., & Dobres, J. (2019). Multidisciplinary Teaming: Enhancing Collaboration through Increased Understanding. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 12(3), 709-726. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-019-00331-y
Strunk, J., Leisen, M., & Schubert, C. (2017). Using a multidisciplinary approach with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 8, 60-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xjep.2017.03.009
