June 30, 2008

New Vanderbilt Autism Clinic provides one-point entry

Vanderbilt University is making it easy for families and professionals to find autism services by introducing the Vanderbilt Autism Clinic – a single helpline staffed by an autism expert who can make referrals for what\’s needed. Vanderbilt recruited Sarah Zombek to serve as family services coordinator. She held a similar position at Massachusetts General Hospital in an autism clinic with a national reputation for family-centered care.

Vanderbilt University is making it easy for families and professionals to find autism services by introducing the Vanderbilt Autism Clinic – a single helpline staffed by an autism expert who can make referrals for what’s needed.

Vanderbilt recruited Sarah Zombek to serve as family services coordinator. She held a similar position at Massachusetts General Hospital in an autism clinic with a national reputation for family-centered care.

"Sarah has exceptional experience and expertise in autism spectrum disorders, and we are so fortunate to have her help us launch the Vanderbilt Autism Clinic," said Wendy Stone, professor of pediatrics and psychology and director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD).

The Vanderbilt Autism Clinic is a gateway to a broad range of Vanderbilt clinical and research programs and resources, as well as those in the community, state and region. It serves families, caregivers, clinicians, educators, and others looking for a single, reliable source to find the help needed.

Available resources include autism-specialized diagnostic, medical, early intervention, educational, behavioral, and counseling services for children, adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders.

The Vanderbilt Autism Clinic is a collaboration between the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and Vanderbilt Medical Center. Vanderbilt is a member of the national Autism Treatment Network, a 15-site network of medical centers dedicated to establishing medical standards of care for children with autism.

To contact the Vanderbilt Autism Clinic, call 322-7565 (local), toll-free (877) ASD-VUMC (273-8862), or e-mail autismclinic@vanderbilt.edu.

Media Contact: Courtney Taylor, (615) 322-5658
courtney.taylor@vanderbilt.edu