Implementing a Hospital-Wide Roll Out: A Proactive Approach to Supporting Patients with Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Challenges

Lina Patel, PsyD is an Assistant Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, practicing at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Dr. Patel is the Director of Psychology for the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome, a multidisciplinary consultative clinic coordinating care for infants, children, teens and young adults with Down syndrome. She provides consultation with schools, parent training regarding the management of challenging or unsafe behaviors, evaluation for dual diagnoses (Down syndrome and Autism), toilet training, and desensitization to medical devices (such as hearing aids and CPAP) and procedure-related distress. Outside of her clinical work, she has presented to numerous organizations across the country and internationally. She also conducts research on clinical issues impacting those with Down syndrome.

Dr. Patel received her bachelor degree in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma. She received her masters and doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology. She completed her internship training at Boston University Medical Center and her postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.

Jennifer Staab is a certified child life specialist. Jennifer has worked as a child life specialist for 10 years in a variety of areas. Currently, Jennifer works at Children’s Hospital Colorado as a Supervisor and Research and Quality Improvement Specialist for the Child Life Department. She served as the chair of the Evidenced-Based Practice Committee for the Association for Child Life Professionals (ACLP) (2011-2013), the Research and Scholarship Committee for the ACLP (2015-2016), and the Proposal Subcommittee for the ACLP’s Scientific Advancement of Professional Practice (2016-2018). Jennifer has given numerous professional presentations. She has presented at ACLP’s Annual Conference for Professional Issues (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, & 2017) and the Children’s Hospital Associations Annual Conference (2013 & 2018). Her research interests include identifying the factors associated with children experiencing elevated distress in a healthcare setting and evaluating the efficacy of child life services. She has published two studies. One on assessing pediatric patients for psychosocial risk and one on the efficacy of child life preparation and support in the Emergency Department