Advocating for Effective EMPS Services for Individuals with ASD and Severe Behavior

Professional Training, Care Coordination, and Advocacy

Original Air Date: May 19, 2021

CEU offered: 1.5 Learning CEU

Short Title: EMPS Services for Individuals with ASD and Severe Behavior

Webinar Duration: 1.5 hours

CE Instructors:

  • Mark J. Palmieri, Psy.D., BCBA-D
  • Michael D. Powers, Psy.D.
  • Arianna Zambrzycka, Psy.D, LBA, BCBA


Abstract: 

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and complex, severe, behavior are often unable to access the necessary services to address their urgent needs in a therapeutic, effective, and proactive fashion. Very often families rely on emergency supports such as Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services (EMPS) when faced with dangerous behavior which puts the safety of the child with autism, the family, and the home at significant risk. Unfortunately, EMPS teams are often unprepared to address the challenges these children may present in a crisis, including understanding significant functional communication delays, restrictive and repetitive behavior patterns, aggression, self-injury and elopement when faced with unfamiliar adults or scenarios, and existing available behavior supports. Common mobile psychiatric interventions which rely on talk-based de-escalation strategies and problem solving may not be at all effective and families come to find that they are left with little support to deescalate the crisis. This contributes, then, to families avoiding accessing such services for fear of being misunderstood and ultimately attempting to manage severe crises on their own, calling 911, or taking their child to the Emergency Department. This presentation will review models for collaboration with EMPS teams to address staff training opportunities as well as models for case-specific advocacy to increase the likelihood that such supports will be effective.

Instructor(s)

Co-Director, The Center for Children with Special Needs Mark Palmieri, Psy.D., BCBA-D

Dr. Mark Palmieri is a licensed psychologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and the Co-Director of CCSN: The Center for Children with Special Needs. He provides psychological evaluations, co-directs the Feeding and Behavioral Sleep Clinics, and supports program development for clinical and school consultation services. He leads capacity development initiatives that establish sustainable educational programs for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other complex neurodevelopmental disabilities. Additionally, he is currently leading project development throughout CCSN to expand clinical services to increase access to high-quality evidence-based practices throughout the community. Dr. Palmieri is also an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at the Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine. He has lectured both nationally and internationally on topics such as behavioral assessment and treatment planning, consultation and program development, and the treatment of feeding and other complex behavioral disorders. He received his doctoral degree from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University.

Executive Director, Center for Children with Special Needs Michael D. Powers, Psy.D

Dr. Michael D. Powers is the Executive Director of CCSN: The Center for Children with Special Needs in Glastonbury, Connecticut and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at the Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine. He completed his graduate training at Columbia and Rutgers Universities. Dr. Powers specializes in the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of individuals with autism and related developmental disabilities, has published and presented extensively on these topics and has been involved in designing educational programs, staff training, and in program evaluation for students with autism spectrum disorders throughout the United States and abroad for over 40 years He is the author of Asperger Syndrome and Your Child, the editor of the award-winning book Children with Autism: A Parent’s Guide, (second edition), and co-editor (with Drs. Volkmar, Pelphry & Rogers) of the Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Dr. Powers is a member of the Professional Advisory Board of MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome, The Geneva Centre for Autism in Toronto, and serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Autism Society of America.

Program Coordinator, Center for Children with Special Needs Arianna Zambrzycka, LCSW, LBA, BCBA

Adrianna Zambrzycka is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and a Program Coordinator at CCSN. She provides consultative services to school programs for students with Autism Spectrum and related disorders. Ms. Zambrzycka helped develop and implement a model diversionary program to reduce Emergency Department admissions for those with ASD in severe behavioral crisis by bringing integrated evidence-based services into short-term treatment facilities in Connecticut. She received her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut and obtained her BCBA through the University of North Texas. Ms. Zambrzycka has experience working with a wide range of individuals varying in age and disabilities across home and school settings, including children with emotional and behavioral disorders residing in foster care.