1. Transdisciplinary Evaluation and Support Clinic (TEASC) Funded by the NM DOH/DDSD
UNM HSC
Department of Family and Community Medicine
Family Medicine Resident School
October 17, 2018

2. TEASC Mission
To provide transdisciplinary consultation for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, around complex medical, behavioral, and/or support needs.
All services are provided at no cost to the consumer/referring parties.
All services are intended to complement or support those of the person’s ongoing medical, psychiatric or IDT providers—not to replace them.

3. The TEASC Team Toni Benton, MD, Family Medicine, Medical Director
Liz Donsbach, BA, Senior Program Manager
Helene Silverblatt, MD, Psychiatrist
Gail B. Thaler, MD, Psychiatrist
May Goldenberg, PA-C, Family Medicine
Richard Campbell, PhD, Neuropsychologist
Patricia Beery, MA, Sr. Program Therapist
Gretchen Ray, PharmD
Cynthia King, MD, Psychiatrist
Stephanie Baca, RDH, Dental Hygiene
Helen “Bonnie” Priest, RN

4. TEASC Services Include:
Comprehensive, whole-person evaluations for individuals with intellectual/developmental disability provided statewide
Adult Special Needs Clinic, provided bi-monthly in Albuquerque
Specialty clinics: SAFE, Adult CP clinic
Neuropsychological testing offered through a contract with the UNM Center for Neuropsychological Services
DDMI Clinics and consultation with COC

5. TEASC Services continued
Community-based physician and other provider support
Technical assistance and other follow-up consultations
Training and experience for medical and other students, residents, and interns
Collaboration with the State, University of New Mexico, and other community agencies and providers
Training on medical and psychiatric topics by request at Quarterly Regional Meetings

6. TEASC Evaluation
TEASC Evaluations are comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluations which address the individual, complex medical, psychiatric, psychosocial, behavioral and vocational concerns of the individual.
TEASC evaluations are initiated by referral from an individual, their family/guardian, medical or psychiatric provider, or their IDT.
We request IDTs first complete and submit a referral packet, including medical and IDT/therapy records. We complete a comprehensive review of these records as the initial basis for the evaluation.

7. TEASC Evaluation, continued
The TEASC team then meets with the individual and their family/guardian, IDT, and medical providers (when possible), in their home, dayhab, or an agency meeting room in their community. The evaluation is scheduled for 2 hours to allow input and discussion by all participants.
A comprehensive report and recommendations follow the evaluation.
Follow up after the evaluation is provided to determine whether recommendations were helpful or if further input would be useful.

8. Examples of Referral Questions
Concerns about changes in behavior or medical status
Long-standing behavior or medical issues
Review of psychotropic medications
Problems accessing support systems, or questions about what support is available

9. Adult Special Needs Clinic (ASNC)
Similar to the TEASC evaluation, this clinic is a collaborative effort of the TEASC Project and the Continuum of Care Project
Meets twice monthly at the UNM Family Medicine Center in Albuquerque
Like a TEASC evaluation, it includes comprehensive records review, meeting with the individual/IDT, report, and follow up.

10. Adult Special Needs Clinic, continued
The Adult Special Needs Clinic team includes:
Family medicine providers
Psychiatrists
Specialist in DD waiver and systems
Clinical pharmacist
Nurse
Clinical dental hygienist
Neurologist
Neuropsychologist

11. Neuropsychological Services
Through a contract with the UNM Center for Neuropsychological Services, we can refer a limited number of adults for neuropsychological testing:
To establish IQ and adaptive skill levels to support applications for services (such as DD Waiver)
To test persons with complex cognitive pictures for better understanding of their abilities and needs.

12. Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Evaluation for Adults
A limited number of openings are available in the Adult Special Needs Clinic to evaluate adults for diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Due to limited availability and high need, priority is given to persons in need of significant support services/DD Waiver.

13. Adult Special Needs Outreach Clinics
Held quarterly or at the request of local providers.
We have done outreach in Belen, Los Lunas, Santa Fe, Roswell, Las Cruces and more recently in Grants.
TEASC Team travels to the requesting clinic to see patients with the provider in their clinic.
Contact TEASC if an area provider is interested ( )

14. Adult Cerebral Palsy Clinic
Collaborative clinic with Continuum of Care
Comprehensive evaluations include psychosocial assessments, full medical and neurological examinations, and facilitation of specialist referrals as necessary.
Family Medicine
Neurology
Social Work
Nursing
Referrals include spasticity management, functional decline, falls, pain, agitation, unexplained weight loss, behavior changes.
Contact: Vera Asplund, RN

15. NM DOH SAFE Clinic (Supports and Assessments for Feeding and Eating)
Consultative multidisciplinary clinic for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities addressing challenges related to oral eating and/or enteral tube feeding.
SAFE Team: Family Medicine, SLP, PT, OT, Nurse, Dietician, if needed a Psychologist.
Focus is on aspiration risk management, oral motor function and swallowing, positioning, nutrition, behavioral supports related to feeding and comprehensive medical management.
Contact:

16. Technical Assistance to IDT Teams or Medical Providers
TEASC Providers are also available for assistance with less complex and/or more immediate issues.
This can consist of phone consultation with an IDT team or medical provider about a specific medical or psychiatric issue that may be complicated by the client’s disability.

17. How to Refer for TEASC/ASNC Evaluations or just ask a question…
Call or us …….
Liz Donsbach, Sr. Program Manager
Toni Benton, MD, Medical Director
fcm.unm.edu/programs/teasc