“We had direct input into the design of the new facility, which helped our team create an environment where the patient experience will go more smoothly," says Dr. Peter Chung, medical director of the autism center.
The UCI Health Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders is bringing its state-of-the-art services for patients and families to a soothing new environment at the Wen Center in Irvine.
Dr. Peter Chung, medical director of the autism center, says their new digs will be a spacious, healing environment for children.
A calming environment
“We had direct input into the design of the new facility, which helped our team create an environment where the patient experience will go more smoothly. We’ve had a major presence in Orange County for many years, but being in the Wen Center will help amplify our efforts for many years to come.”
The center is staffed by a team of experts in the field of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. It serves an estimated 3,300 Orange County families a year — treating children, adolescents and young adults.
Commitment to serve
“The current data on autism prevalence in the United States is 1 in 36 children,” Chung says. “When you look at California data, it’s even higher at 1 in 22. The rates among Asian, Latino and Black patients also have risen compared to the white population. Orange County, being an ethnically diverse area, is affected by these increases.”
Chung says the new facility advances the university’s long-standing commitment to serving the region’s autism community, offering diagnostics, therapies and support services.
“After the initial diagnosis, patients and their families often have a lot of support needs,” he says. “We provide longitudinal care, which includes making sure families are able to access all of the services available to them.”
Outdoor treatment area
Their new home on the first floor of the Wen Center on Jamboree Road includes a community room for parent education workshops, support groups and meetings of its Latino advisory committee. They also are launching a transition program for young adult patients.
Chung is especially proud of their unique outdoor treatment area and relaxation hut, which offers providers and patients alternative environments to optimize care.
“The outdoor treatment area is a great way to bring some diversity to clinical visits,” he says. “And being able to have a calm-down area is great.”
One-stop, collaborative care
The center’s location is also ideal because it’s housed in the same building as primary and specialty children’s services as well as an urgent care center.
“Being close to these providers will promote collaboration and care coordination,” Chung says. “It will make it easier for our patients and their families to access a variety of services and support.”
The new location also fully integrates the autism center’s faculty and staff with their UCI Health colleagues.
“Being next to other medical providers and other teams will help us with our professional development,” Chung says. “Before, we were in our own sandbox, which comes with its own limitations. Now we will be integrated with the greater UCI Health enterprise. That’s going to be better for everyone.”
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