About the Treatment Team: Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Unit
Each individual is assigned a highly specialized, compassionate treatment team of experts. The treatment team works together towards the goal of helping your loved one stabilize so they can safely move to a less-intensive level of care.
Our treatment teams are composed of:
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Medical director—an adult psychiatrist who oversees all adult services at Sheppard Pratt.
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Service chief—an adult psychiatrist who serves as the clinical leader of treatment and services on the unit.
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Attending psychiatrist—an adult psychiatrist who works directly with the service chief in providing care to patients.
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Unit manager—a nurse who is responsible for program development, milieu activities, and day-to-day function of the program.
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Social worker—who is your primary contact and liaison. The social worker attends daily treatment team meetings, and will keep you informed about your loved one’s clinical progress. The social worker also works with you to obtain a family history in order to get a holistic view of your loved one. The social worker will also prepare a comprehensive discharge plan for when your loved one is ready to return to the community.
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Behavior specialist—an individual with extensive experience working with individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities. The behavior specialist will craft a behavior plan for your loved one, and work with them on engaging in desired behaviors while minimizing unwanted behaviors.
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Occupational therapist—who facilitates activities to help your loved one learn how to meet their own physical, emotional, and cognitive needs as best they can.
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Psychiatric nurses—who help individuals with their daily activities, managing their symptoms, and any medical concerns. Psychiatric nurses are also responsible for dispensing medication. Members of the nursing team are available 24/7.
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Mental health workers—who are trained staff members that help run therapeutic groups and work directly with the clinical treatment team.