ECHO Ontario Autism
What is Project ECHO? Project ECHO® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) began as a movement to improve the treatment of Hepatitis C in rural New Mexico. This model has been adopted around the world including in Ontario where there are now over 30 ECHO programs addressing a variety of healthcare needs. Project ECHO® is a movement to “demonopolize” or “democratize” specialist knowledge and thereby amplify the capacity to provide best-practice care especially for underserved people in rural and remote communities. Each ECHO has an "expert" Hub Team that provides education as well as recommendations on cases presented. However, the ECHO model takes an "All Teach All Learn" approach, with community clinicians also contributing information and knowledge.
ECHO Ontario Autism: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (Holland Bloorview) is pleased to offer the ECHO Ontario Autism program. We offer several ECHO Autism programs including ECHO Autism for Physicians and NPs which focuses on diagnosis and ongoing care. This program is fully funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health (MOH) and is free to attend. ECHO Autism Psychology funded by the Ministry of Community, Children and Social Services (MCCSS), is open to Psychologists and Psychology professionals and is focused on autism diagnosis and treatment/support. ECHO Autism Interprofessional Collaboration is also funded by MCCSS, and is focused on to developing more collaborative practices/referrals that are responsive and flexible to the needs and preferences of autistic children, youth and their families.. It is open to BCBAs, OTs, SLPs and Mental Health professionals (by invitation only) providing core clinical services.
