The Autism Program is in the Division of Clinical Behavioral Neuroscience in the Department of Pediatrics. The focus is on diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and consultation on autism and related conditions in individuals from birth through adulthood and their families. Diagnostic evaluations follow an evidence-based, best practice framework in which the child's needs related to autism are understood within the context of their overall development. Treatment services also implement evidence-based programs for improving social skills, transition to adulthood, reducing anxiety, and improving parent-child interactions that promote development. A strong emphasis is placed on obtaining research-level reliability on behavioral measures for autism to ensure the highest quality evaluations, as well as having close coordination and interaction with the autism community and available resources to be able to connect families with needed services. To this end, fellows will be expected to participate in at least one community/advocacy committee for autism during their tenure. Understanding of the variety of psychiatric and developmental diagnoses, as well as performing differential diagnosis, is another strong emphasis. Because of the complex medical and behavioral needs of most children with autism and related conditions, the fellow within the Autism Program will participate and work cooperatively with many subspecialty services of the Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Psychiatry.

Patients are referred to the Autism and Neurodevelopment Clinic both from within the M Health network and UMMCH as well as from the community. We see patients across the spectrum and specialize in complex cases where patients have multiple co-occurring conditions. Psychotherapeutic services may include behavioral consultation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, parent counseling, treatment groups for social skill and practical skill development, and parent-child interaction therapy.

The Autism Program includes an active evaluation service involving psychological/neuropsychological assessments. The evaluation includes a full developmental and psychological assessment with a focus on differential diagnosis and treatment planning. Some evaluations include a team evaluation with a developmental behavioral pediatrician or psychiatrist, where medical history, co-occurring diagnoses, and medical needs are more fully incorporated. The Autism Program's treatment groups include cognitive-behavioral therapy to improve anxiety, social skills instruction, and supporting independent living skills for transition to adulthood and work life. The groups all contain a parent psychoeducational component and parent support. Individual and parent-child therapy models follow a cognitive behavioral and/or applied behavior/developmental approach.

* Current Assessment Populations
o Autism spectrum disorder
o Fragile X syndrome
o Children at-risk for autism (siblings, history of prematurity)
o Other genetic conditions that overlap with autism (Williams syndrome, NF1, etc.)
o Other psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions or concerns that overlap with autism

Clinical Activity Plan (70% time)

To ensure that the fellow receives a high level of clinical training in the area of autism and related conditions, the following activities will be required during the fellowship:
* Clinical assessment: The fellow will perform psychological/neuropsychological evaluations conducted with individuals suspected of having autism. The fellow will conduct 2 evaluations per week at UMMCH and will be individually supervised on each case by a staff psychologist. The fellow will participate in all aspects of assigned cases, including clinical interviews, face-to-face assessment, scoring/interpretation of results, report writing, and family diagnostic feedback sessions.
* Intervention: The fellow will work with staff psychologists to co-lead or lead at least one treatment group per week. Depending on the fellow's interest, they will also conduct one individual therapy or parent-child interaction therapy session per week. (The fellow would have the option of replacing individual/parent-child therapy with an additional treatment group.). The fellow will also participate in treatment services involved with planning and facilitating treatment programs, such as therapy intakes for families interested in treatment services and family therapy sessions that support ongoing treatment groups.
* Professional Development: At the completion of the first year of fellowship, the fellow will be eligible to become a licensed psychologist.

Research Activity Plan (20% time)

The fellow will be exposed to various aspects of clinical research work. This is achieved via participation in the following activities:
* Review of autism literature: The fellow will be provided with a series of readings in the area of autism and related conditions, primary in areas of diagnostic assessment, intervention, and policy.
* Study coordination: The fellow will collaborate with Drs. Esler and Hudock in ongoing research projects evaluating treatment groups for autism, conducting telehealth intervention and consultation, following the needs of individuals with fragile X syndrome, and estimating autism prevalence. In addition, opportunities are also available for the fellow to access our clinic database, which includes diagnostic assessment measures and information, to develop manuscripts.
* Independent Research: The fellow will be encouraged to develop research projects of interest to them that can be conducted with our available clinical populations or through collaborations with other research labs within the U of M system.
* Grant writing: The fellow will be offered support, which may include participation in grant writing seminar, should they wish to develop a grant idea during the fellowship years.
* Manuscript preparation and submission: The fellow will be encouraged to collaborate on manuscript preparation and poster submissions at national and international conferences. Individually tailored goals will be established in this area.

Administration and Didactics (10% time)

* The fellow will be required to participate in monthly clinician group meetings where cases and issues related to autism are discussed, as well as biweekly staff meetings. Optional didactics available to the fellow include Pediatric Grand Rounds and seminars through the Center for Neurobehavioral Development (CNBD).
* The fellow will be expected to participate in a community-based advocacy or policy group for autism or a related condition (e.g., EIDBI provider group, Autism Speaks, Fragile X Consumer Support Network).

Required Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will have a doctoral degree and clinical internship from an APA/CPA accredited program in Clinical, Developmental, or School Psychology and specialty training in autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. Candidates should also be knowledgeable about standards of care for ASD diagnostic evaluations and evidence-based interventions. Applicants must be license-eligible in Minnesota.

Preferred Qualifications:

Research reliability with the ADOS-2 and ADI-R are highly preferred, but not required. Board Certified Behavioral Analyst credential is preferred, but not required.

Committed to innovation and diversity, the Medical School educates physicians, scientists, and health professionals; generates knowledge and treatments; and cares for patients and communities with compassion and respect. We value excellence, inclusiveness, collaboration, and discovery.

The mission of the regional campus located in Duluth is to be a national leader in improving healthcare access and outcomes in rural Minnesota and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. In partnership with CentraCare, the regional campus in St. Cloud offers a wide range of patient experiences throughout students' education in Greater Minnesota and prepares them to become exceptional clinicians and leaders for rural and immigrant populations.

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the for more information regarding benefits.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U:

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).