Seattle Children's Autism Center Postdoctoral Fellowship
/Seattle Children’s Autism Center Postdoctoral Fellowship
Seattle Children’s Hospital (SCH) is currently recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders for the upcoming 2022-2023 academic year. The overall goal of the SCH Autism Fellowship is to train the next generation of scientist-practitioners who will demonstrate leadership in the areas of service, training, research and excellence in the care of individuals with autism and their families. Central to our goals is the ability to provide equitable care, work within an interdisciplinary setting and consult to members of medical teams and community settings. We are committed to training compassionate and ethical fellows, with a deep understanding of the specific and complex needs of our patients and their families.
Overview of the Seattle Children’s Autism Center (SCAC). The SCAC is a national leader in caring for the diverse needs of autistic youth and young adults. We evaluate and treat over 4300 unique patients every year. The center offers a range of medical and mental health services for children and adults, including diagnostic evaluations, medication management, targeted evidenced-based treatments for core symptoms and co-occurring mental health conditions, and caregiver support for families. Our center employs specialized clinical professionals with a focused interest in ASD, including child and behavioral psychologists, board certified behavior analysts and technicians, developmental and behavioral pediatricians, gastroenterologists, neurologists, nurse practitioners (medical and psychiatric), psychiatrists, speech and language pathologists, dieticians, and family resource personnel. We also engage in community outreach, through a broad range of education and training opportunities.
Objectives of the SCAC Postdoctoral Fellowship: Reflecting the complex and diverse nature of the specialized clinical programs and research opportunities at the Seattle Children’s Autism Center, we developed three postdoctoral fellowship tracks, which aim to reflect the myriad of opportunities available for specialized training. Fellowship time will be split 80% clinical and 20% research.
Applicants should indicate the specific clinical track they are interested in applying for. We will be selecting one postdoctoral candidate that best aligns with one of the three available tracks: Diagnostics, Treatment, Applied Behavior Analysis. Below is a description of the specialized activities connected to each track:
Diagnostic Track:
· Diagnostic Assessment Rotation (60% time)
· Outpatient Treatment Rotation (20% time)
· Protected Research Time (20% time)
The fellow will be provided a range of clinical and didactic opportunities to develop advanced competencies in the specialty area of diagnostic assessment of autism and related disorders. The fellow will become knowledgeable about best practices for comprehensive assessments, including utilization of available multidisciplinary colleagues at the center (e.g., speech pathologists, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners). Depending on previous experience, the fellow may also conduct complex psychological evaluations, incorporating multiple sources of information (e.g., history, questionnaire data, standardized testing) and multiple standardized test measures (e.g., ADOS-2, cognitive testing) for children who present for ASD rule out in the context of complex psychiatric history. Specific training goals include:
1) Differential diagnosis of ASD and comorbid conditions, especially with complex cases.
2) Differential diagnosis of ASD in very young children with developmental delays.
3) Reliable administration of the ADOS-2, if not already trained.
4) Providing feedback to families and making treatment recommendations.
5) Depending on previous experience, administration of cognitive and neuropsychological test batteries with the ASD population.
Treatment Track:
· ASD Diagnostic Assessment Rotation (20% time)
· ASD Outpatient Treatment Rotation (60% time)
· Protected Research Time (20% time)
The fellow will be provided a range of clinical and didactic opportunities to develop advanced competencies in evidenced-based treatments for children with autism and related disorders. Skills for collaborating with various colleagues within the center (e.g., speech pathologists, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners) may also be a focus. Depending on selected rotations, training experiences may include: (a) individual and group treatment of comorbid mood and anxiety disorders, including OCD, using cognitive behavioral therapy, (b) brief behavioral intervention using a manualized parent-training intervention (RUBI), (c) parent training to target core deficits in ASD, (d) transition services for school-age children and young adults, (e) assessment and treatment of gender diverse youth with autism, (f) assessment and treatment of youth with suspected fetal alcohol exposure, and (g) social skills group interventions, across a range of ages using manualized treatments (e.g., PEERS). Within these treatment options, the fellow will have opportunities to gain skills in interventions to improve language and social development, coping and emotional regulation, executive functioning, daily living skills, and behavioral regulation. This range of treatment opportunities provides depth as well as breadth in the specialty care of children with ASD. In addition, the fellow is exposed to opportunities to teach and supervise others, provide community education, and participate in advocacy activities. Specific training goals include:
1) Treatment planning for the heterogenous population of children with ASD we serve.
2) Implementation of evidence-based treatments (e.g., CBT, behavioral interventions) for autistic youth in trainee’s area of interest.
3) Use of time-limited and goal-focused treatment models, with a focus on addressing specific goals and then connecting patients with long-term community-based resources.
Applied Behavior Analysis Track:
· ASD Treatment in the Biobehavioral, Feeding, Early Intervention and/or RUBI Clinic (80% time)
· Protected Research Time (20% time)
The fellow will be provided a range of clinical and didactic opportunities to develop advanced competencies in the specialty area of applied behavior analysis treatments for autistic youth. This track focuses on specialty programs within the autism center including the BioBehavioral Program, Pediatric Feeding Program, Applied Behavior Analysis Early Intervention Program and RUBI Clinic. The fellow will become knowledgeable about best practice for comprehensive evidence-based assessment and treatment across the populations these various programs serve. The fellow will directly interact within interdisciplinary teams during all levels of care (assessment and treatment). The fellow will also learn to provide services within a range of treatment models, including outpatient, intensive outpatient, telemedicine, group treatment, parent education, and community-based services. Training will include extensive experience and supervision in either biobehavioral assessment and treatment of severe challenging behavior, pediatric feeding disorders, and/or skill acquisition in early intervention. Specific training goals include:
1) Conducting interdisciplinary behavioral assessments, including choosing appropriate methodology and conducting both functional assessment and functional analysis procedures for youth with challenging behavior, feeding and/or skill-based comorbidities.
2) Implementation of applied behavior analytic interventions for children with ASD, including: 1) reduction of severe challenging behaviors, 2) treatment of severe feeding disorders, 3) early intervention, using both naturalistic (e.g., Pivotal Response Treatment) and structured (e.g., discrete trial training) behavioral interventions.
3) Utilizing single-case design methods to conduct interdisciplinary complex evaluations, developing proficiency in various behavior analytic data collection procedures.
This one-year postdoctoral fellowship position is available for candidates who will have obtained their PhD in clinical or school psychology and completed an APA/APPIC approved internship prior to September 2022, and who are interested in research, clinical training, leadership and program development. Preferred candidates will have a commitment to learn and actively engage in anti-racist work.
Applicants should send a curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, and a letter of intent describing clinical and research interests. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but review will begin on 12/1/2021. Qualified applications will be invited for virtual interviews and offers will be extended by the Uniform Notification Date of February 22, 2022. Seattle Children’s Hospital is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer with a strong institutional commitment to diversity in all areas.
Stipend is commensurate with NIH guidelines, and includes health benefits, paid vacation and sick leave, and time to attend national conferences. A detailed description of benefits is available at: http://www.seattlechildrens.org/about/careers/benefits/.
Please direct questions and applications electronically to:
Karen Bearss, PhD
Clinical Director, Seattle Children’s Autism Center
Associate Professor, University of Washington
karen.bearss@seattlechildrens.org