Partner Spotlight

Dr. Diane R. Edwards: Providing Screening in Underserved Areas

About Diane: Diane Edwards, MD, is a developmental pediatrician and active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She specializes in caring for children and young adults with developmental disabilities. Currently, Diane has a private practice in Casper, Wyoming, and is an adjunct clinical professor in the Department of Family Medicine in the College of Health Sciences of the University of Wyoming.

Diane’s PTCP Project: As the only developmental pediatrician in the state of Wyoming, Diane is a very busy lady. Even so, she made time to help “paint the country purple” by providing free, community-wide autism screenings for children in three Wyoming communities—Casper, Cheyenne, and Sheridan. She also distributed “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” fact sheets and other materials to parents, health care professionals, child care centers, and schools throughout those communities. Diane helped the campaign reach into communities it might have never been able to reach without her help.

Results and Next Steps: In April, Diane conducted screenings of about 30 children. Many of the children required further evaluation for autism, and some were referred to early intervention services for developmental delay, hearing, and other behavioral concerns. As a result of Diane’s efforts, these children will be able to get the care and support they need sooner than later.

For more information on how you can reach out to health professionals in your area, visit the How to Get Involved page of the “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” website.

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