Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics

Rhode Island Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities Training Program

The Rhode Island Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (RI LEND) Training Program is designed to provide graduate level interdisciplinary training to individuals from diverse professional disciplines and cultural backgrounds, so that they may assume leadership roles in the field of neurodevelopmental disabilities.

RI LEND is funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of Health Resources Services Administration. The program represents a partnership among The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital and its Hasbro Children’s Hospital, and the Paul V. Sherlock Center for Developmental Disabilities at Rhode Island College.

See a full list of RI LEND community partners and collaborators »

Apply to the RI LEND Program

Applicants must be pursuing a graduate program or have completed a graduate program in a related field (e.g., audiology, genetic counseling, medicine, nursing, pediatric dentistry, public health, physical therapy, psychology, special education, speech and language pathology), and/or be a self-advocate, and/or be a parent or caregiver of a child with autism or other developmental disability.

Submit a completed application form with your CV/resume and include a one-page personal statement documenting a professional or life experience relating to a disability that demonstrates your commitment to supporting individuals with autism or other neurodevelopmental disabilities.

The Mission of RI LEND

The primary purpose of RI LEND is to recruit and prepare graduate level trainees from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds to become future clinical, academic and community leaders focused on maternal and child health (MCH) of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other related neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Our program emphasizes:

  • Family-centered and culturally competent biopsychosocial clinical assessment and interventions
  • Preparation in research
  • Pedagogy
  • Advocacy and leadership 
  • Collaboration with MCH-related community agencies, families and child advocates

This training program intends to improve the health of infants, children and teens who have, or who are at risk for developing, ASD or developmental delays (DD). It trains professionals to become skilled in family centered practices that enhance quality of life and guide comprehensive prevention, early identification and effective treatment strategies.

The dedicated trainees who complete the RI LEND program are knowledgeable about the impact of environmental, genetic, social, and cultural factors that affect individuals throughout their life course. They are leaders who know how to advocate for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, who can impact public policy with the knowledge and skills they build throughout the year. 

Learn more about the RI LEND curriculum and training »