Autism Clinic
Our History: For the last 20 years, the Autism Clinic at the Children’s Center at Langley Porter (CCLP), UCSF continues to serve families and children affected by autistic spectrum disorders—autism, PDD and Asperger’s syndrome. The Clinic was established in 1983 and moved to UCSF in 1989 and follows over 3,000 children. It is one of the largest and most active autism specialty clinics in the United States.
Our Mission: The Autism Clinic combines on-going clinical research with use of cutting edge clinical diagnostic procedures specific for the autistic spectrum disorders. We offer specialized intensive assessment and very individualized treatment planning. The clinic has a special focus on early diagnosis of children under three years of age, but serves the entire autistic population through the school years into adulthood.
Our Research: The Autism Clinic serves as a base for on-going clinical research on autistic learning styles, diagnosis and early identification, and family functioning, as well collaborations on the neurophysiology of autism via brain imaging and psychophysiological studies, and on medical epidemiology.
Services
Diagnostic Assessment
Dr. Siegel participated in development of the nationally used diagnostic standard for autism in DSM-III-R and DSM-IV and Dr. Siegel consulted on development of the California Diagnostic Best Practices Standards which are used in all clinic assessments. Dr. Siegel has published the first early screening test for autism, the PDDST-II.
Educational Consultation
Educational approaches are developed based on the autistic learning disability approach, focusing on symptom specific treatment plans using a range of methodologies and evidenced-based research.
Behavioral Consultation
Behavioral consultation based on autistic learning differences is used to train families in behavior management and development of adaptive skills.
Psychopharmacology Consultation
Dr. Eva Ihle, our medical director, provides expert specialized medication consultation for families and community clinicians using medicines as part of an integrated autism treatment plan.
Autism Neurodevelopment Center (ANC)
Dr. Siegel and Dr. Elysa Marco of the UCSF Department of Pediatric Neurology coordinate a monthly joint clinic providing Autism Clinic services integrated with neurological examination and genetic evaluation. The ANC also coordinates research in neurodevelopment of autism on selected ANC and other Autism Clinic patients.
JumpStart
The Autism Clinic is affiliated with a week-long intensive parent and child training program for newly-diagnosed children, their families and on-going treatment providers (www.autismjumpstart.org).
Community Outreach
The Autism Clinic is well-known among Northern California special education and regional center programs. In addition, Dr. Siegel consults with schools and government agencies throughout the US developing treatment programs via staff development, program evaluations, and consultation; as well as frequently lecturing nationally and internationally to teachers, mental health professionals and parents.
Professional Development
The Autism Clinic welcomes professional colleagues from multiple disciplines to visit the Clinic and observe assessment procedures and meet with clinic staff by arrangement with the clinic coordinator or director.
How to Make an Appointment
Please ask your child’s primary care physician to complete our Consult Request letter (click here to download the PDF) and fax it back to our Intakes & Referrals department at 415-502-6361. Someone will then be in touch with you directly to schedule an appointment.
If you are a current patient, have questions about an upcoming appointment, or would like more information about our clinic, please contact Anne Bernard, Autism Clinic Coordinator, at 415-476-7385.