Interdisciplinary Approach to Obtaining a Medical Diagnosis For Individuals With a Complex Behavioral Profile
Interdisciplinary Approach to Obtaining a Medical Diagnosis For Individuals With a Complex Behavioral Profile
Lauren Carter, M.Ed., BCBA, LABA
Emily Chin, PT, DPT
Maria Wizboski, RN-C, BSN, CDE®
Mary Jane Weiss, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Individuals with complex behavioral and medical profiles require a multidisciplinary approach due to multiple specialized areas of need. This approach allows interdisciplinary teams to efficiently address multiple presenting needs simultaneously and comprehensively (Boivin et al., 2021). This collaborative process requires trust, respect, clearly defined and equitable roles, commitment, and accountability. It requires each discipline to have comprehensive knowledge of their specialty, as well as an understanding of other team members’ roles, including training, experience, and scope of practice (Boivin et al., 2015; Brodhead, 2015; LaFrance et al., 2019; Slim & Reuter-Yuill, 2021). In theory, all clients benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration. In some instances, however, such collaborative care is essential. When the needs of the individual require specialized expertise from multiple disciplines, a collaborative team approach is needed. It is important to focus on the values of the team approach, the roles and responsibilities of each member, and the quality of inter-professional collaboration and teamwork (Slim & Reuter-Yuill, 2021).
