University of Washington experts provide the Autism Center of Excellence (COE) trainings through a contract with the Health Care Authority (HCA). As of July 2024, we are contracted to provide 4 general trainings a year.

Purpose of the COE Training

• To increase the number of qualified clinicians (COEs) across Washington State who can appropriately diagnose children and youth with autism who have Medicaid insurance.
• To foster collaboration between providers and systems serving autistic children and youth and their families
• Help children and families access needed services as appropriate, including writing a Medicaid/Apple Health prescription for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). COE required for Managed Care Organization (MCO) prescription approval.

Who is Eligible to Become a COE

• The HCA determines which primary care and other clinicians  can become COEs. Currently the list includes medical physicians working in primary care, specialty physicians, clinical psychologists, ARNPs, Naturopathic Doctors, and Physician Assistants (PA-C). Licensed Clinical Psychologists, neurologists, psychiatrists and Developmental-Behavioral pediatricians are automatically recognized as being qualified to diagnose autism but may wish to attend to learn more about Washington State specific rules and resources and connect with peers.

Who is Eligible to Attend the Training

• Clinicians who serve patients with Washington State Medicaid insurance or support clinicians doing this work.  We welcome others interested in learning more about autism who are providing care coordination, peer support, mental or behavioral health services etc.  There are limited spots for out of state providers interested in learning more about this approach to training primary care providers to diagnose autism.

More information and registration 

Registration