Autism and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Research

Ongoing innovation through research and quality improvement is an essential GROW pillar. We believe research improves our understanding of the diverse experiences and challenges that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) face, making it possible for us to develop more effective health interventions and support systems. This leads to improved quality of life and better health outcomes for individuals with autism or I/DD and their families.

Increasing Access and Accuracy of ASD Screening

Autism intervention before age three can lead to improved language and cognition. Unfortunately, barriers during the screening, referral and diagnostic process can lead to delays, inaccuracies and inequities in receiving a diagnosis and accessing autism care. Thanks to an award from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, obtained by Drs. Melissa Maye and Tisa Johnson-Hooper, five Henry Ford Health pediatric clinics received resources and support to increase access, accuracy and equity of ASD screening. As a result of the positive impact of this research, this innovative strategy can be widely disseminated throughout Henry Ford Health helping to increase access to care for large numbers of children.

Towards understanding the impact of clinician knowledge and patient experience on health care access and outcomes for patients with I/DD in a large integrated health system.

Drs. Tisa Johnson-Hooper, Melissa Maye, Nakia Allen and Amy Drahota are working to address healthcare disparities faced by people with IDD thanks to Michigan State University Health Equity Research Funding. This project aims to assess the prevalence of I/DD within Henry Ford Health and to identify barriers and facilitators to delivering high-quality health care. Findings from this project will inform future healthcare services interventions to enhance the quality, accessibility and equity of healthcare for those with I/DD.

Increasing access to infant directed speech for all infants hospitalized in the NICU.

Dr. Melissa Maye is also working on identifying barriers and facilitators to increasing language exposure in the NICU. Research has shown that even very young NICU babies benefit from language exposure – both physically and developmentally. In fact, babies who received more exposure to language in the NICU went on to have higher developmental and language scores at 18-and-24-months. Findings from this project will inform an intervention to increase language exposure in the NICU for all infants – regardless of a parent’s ability to be present at the bedside.

Thanks to funding from the Steven Grand Foundation and in partnership with the Autism Alliance of Michigan, GROW is implementing and studying strategies to improve healthcare outcomes for individuals with I/DD.