Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disorders Training Program - Saint Joseph’s University proposes to establish Interdisciplinary Growth in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities through Innovation, Training, and Engagement (IGNITE), a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND) training program designed to strengthen the workforce serving children and youth with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. The program responds to growing needs in Pennsylvania and the greater Philadelphia region, where families often face barriers to timely screening, diagnosis, coordinated services, and family-centered supports. Children and youth with autism and developmental disabilities may require services across health care, education, behavioral health, communication, social services, and community settings, yet many professionals enter practice without sufficient interdisciplinary preparation to recognize needs, make appropriate referrals, adapt services, and work effectively with families and other providers. IGNITE will prepare trainees through distinct long-term, medium-term, and short-term pathways matched to their disciplines, roles, and training intensity. Long-term trainees will come from physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, special education, speech-language pathology, individuals with disabilities, and family members. Medium-term trainees will come from health science, occupational therapy with capstone experiences, pharmacy, and physical therapy. Short-term trainees will come from applied behavior analysis, nursing, occupational therapy without capstone experiences, and pharmacy. Across all tiers, training will emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, person- and family-centered care, culturally and linguistically appropriate services, screening and referral processes, evidence-based and neurodiversity-affirming practices, transition planning, leadership, advocacy, research, evaluation, and quality improvement. The Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support will serve as the primary training hub. Trainees will participate in academic coursework, interprofessional seminars, supervised clinical and community-based experiences, case-based learning, continuing education activities, technical assistance, mentorship, and applied research or quality improvement projects. Training experiences will occur through Kinney Center programs and community partner sites, including schools, clinics, inclusive community programs, employment-focused programs, and organizations serving children, youth, young adults, and families affected by autism and developmental disabilities. The program will also incorporate technology-enhanced simulation, including privacy-protected virtual reality practice experiences guided by individuals with disabilities and family members. A core feature of IGNITE is the meaningful inclusion of lived experience. Individuals with disabilities and family members will participate as trainees, faculty, co-educators, advisors, speakers, simulation facilitators, researchers and contributors to curriculum and evaluation. This approach will help trainees understand the priorities, strengths, communication needs, and lived experiences of the populations they will serve. Through IGNITE, Saint Joseph’s University will expand the number and quality of professionals prepared to identify, support, and serve children and youth with autism and developmental disabilities and their families. The program will also extend its impact through continuing education, technical assistance to community organizations, dissemination of training products and practice resources, and ongoing evaluation. By strengthening interdisciplinary training and community partnerships, IGNITE will help improve access to coordinated, responsive, and family-centered services for children and youth with autism and developmental disabilities in the Philadelphia region and beyond.
