Recommendation 1:

Expand pool of evaluators competent to diagnose autism and related developmental disabilities.

• Objective 1a: Coordinate efforts with the Georgia Chapter of the AAP, Georgia AFP, and Georgia-based colleges, universities, and medical schools, to promote awareness of the shortage of qualified evaluators. This may increase the number of students, residents/fellows, trainees, and early career professionals interested in entering the field.
• Objective 1b: Partner with medical residency and other professional programs to encourage training in differential diagnosis.
• Objective 1c: Work with the Georgia Departments of Community Health and Public Health to ensure a pool of providers trained in autism who accept Medicaid.

Recommendation 2:

Create a family-centered information clearinghouse that outlines the components of an effective evaluation and provides information on where to go to obtain one.

• Objective 2a: Expand Parent to Parent of Georgia’s Concern Guide and begin linking families to this information.

Recommendation 3:

Increase the cultural competence of providers and organizations so that families from diverse cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds have a range of options and feel comfortable in the referral and diagnostic process.

• Objective 3a: Through training and awareness campaigns, enhance the communications skills of providers to discuss issues related to autism diagnosis and intervention options in a culturally competent manner.
• Objective 3b: Utilize scholarship or grant programs to increase the number of providers from culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Objective 3c: Encourage conference planners and organizers to include content on cultural and linguistic competence.