Interprofessional Education and Practice: A Family-Centered Approach to Autism

The article discusses the role of interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) in the delivery of service to a young child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and his family. An introduction to the concepts is provided with an outline of the strengths and challenges evident in implementing an IPCP approach to quality care. The core competencies for IPE and IPCP are also explained with examples of their application to children with ASD and their families. After reading this article, health care providers should be able to summarize their role in IPE and IPCP and identify their responsibility as a member of a collaborative team. The value of an interprofessional team in practice is emphasized, and ways to build successful teams are explained.