Pediatric Residency Training Program on Children with Disabilities and their Families

The purpose of the Pediatric Residency Training Program on Children with Disabilities and Their Families is to train and inform pediatric residents of relevant issues in the development and provision of services to children with disabilities and special health care needs.

The program was originally a longitudinal rotation on disabilities that was funded by a grant from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education. It was a three-year curriculum which consisted of seven modules, including Family-Centered Care; Early Intervention; Special Education; Team-Based Service Models: The Role of Other Professionals; Communication Skills and Team Participation; Interagency Collaboration, Service Integration, and Resource Allocation; and Advocacy and Responsibility and The Legislative Process. Within each module, the residents participated in different practicum experiences that enhanced their awareness and ways of interacting with children with disabilities and their families, as well as the systems with which they are involved. Ninety-two residents completed that program.

A revision of the project in 2001 incorporated portions of the above mentioned training into the Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric course directed by Dr. Mark Greenstein. Each resident now receives three hours of didactic lecture covering Family-Centered Care, Early Intervention, and Special Education. Additionally, residents also participate in:

• An observation of delivery of early intervention services, including discussions with the family of the child receiving services.
• An observation of a special education program in an inclusive setting.
• A research assignment based on a family study outlining issues common to children with disabilities and their families.

Publications

For publications regarding this project, please contact:

Gabriela Freyre-Calish, M.S.W.
University of Connecticut
Center for Developmental Disabilities
263 Farmington Ave.
Farmington, CT 06030

860.679.1563

freyre@nso2.uchc.edu

Contact

Mary Beth Bruder, Ph.D.
University of Connecticut
Center for Developmental Disabilities
263 Farmington Ave.
Farmington, CT 06030

Phone: 860-679-1500
Fax: 860-679-1571

Email: Bruder@nso1.uchc.edu