Transdisciplinary Approach

IDTC provides care for intellectually, developmentally and emotionally disabled children and adolescents. The programming and treatment process used at IDTC is based on the transdisciplinary theory. The transdisciplinary theory believes that the use of teams to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions is demonstrated at all levels from the direct care to executive administration levels to achieve the best possible treatment outcomes.

There are three general theories by which teams function: multidisciplinary, inter- disciplinary, and transdisciplinary. The transdisciplinary theory is the most conducive to supporting a person throughout the lifetime in a potentially seamless fashion.

The need for consistency of treatment is paramount as people’s responses or behaviors can vary from situation to situation. We know that treatment teams need to be made up of any number of a variety of professionals, caretakers, and family members. How this team operates has the potential to improve outcomes not only for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, but for anyone regardless of diagnosis who requires the support of a team of professionals and others for progress.