Adaptive Care Program

The Adaptive Care Program (ACP) focuses on enhancing the health care experience of children with autism spectrum disorder and/or other developmental, neurological and behavioral challenges. We know that the medical setting can be exceptionally stressful and scary for children. The Adaptive Care Program is designed to offer individualized support for your child that enhances their coping and creates a positive, supportive health care experience.

We work with caregivers to create an individualized “Adaptive Coping Plan” that includes valuable information for your child’s health care team. Providing this information ahead of time can help the care team adapt to your child’s unique needs. This plan becomes a part of your child’s medical record and can be accessed by their care team in all areas within the Children’s Health system. We will routinely work with you to make sure the plan meets your child's needs as they grow.

An Adaptive Coping Plan helps us learn about your child’s typical behaviors and includes information such as:

• Stressors or triggers associated with the health care setting
• Best ways to effectively communicate with your child
• Past experiences, interventions or adjustments that have been helpful

Based on the information you provide about your child, our team can recommend ways to better support your child during future health care encounters.

The Adaptive Care Program is free and available to all children within the Children’s Health System who meet the following criteria:

• Age 3 years and up
• Have a current diagnosis or is being evaluated for a developmental disability and/or behavioral condition such as autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, etc.
• Have a difficult time coping and cooperating during health care visits

• How to get started

  Your child’s provider may make a referral to the Adaptive Care Program team if they assess that your child may benefit from having an Adaptive Coping Plan. Once we receive a referral from your child’s provider, a member from our team will contact you to begin the enrollment process and create the individualized Adaptive Coping Plan.

  If you feel your child may benefit from having an Adaptive Coping Plan, ask your child’s provider to submit a referral.

• Contact Us

  You can contact our team directly at AdaptiveCareProgram@childrens.com or 214-456-8764 for additional information and to enroll your child.