FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          

COLUMBIA, Mo. (Oct. 20, 2014) – The University of Missouri’s Assessment and Consultation Clinic (ACC) will move to the university’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders beginning Nov. 1, 2014.

The clinic’s director, Dr. Andy Knoop, and staff psychologist Dr. Megan Strawsine Carney will join the Thompson Center’s clinical faculty, offering assessment services for children with suspected neurodevelopmental disorders. They will also be trained in current autism evaluation techniques to support autism diagnostic visits with an average of four new autism evaluations per week.

Thompson Center Director Stephen Kanne said the unification of pediatric psychological assessments at MU supports the center’s mission of whole care for the whole family, adding 500 available visits per year for patients.

“Dr. Knoop and Dr. Carney will bring a tremendous amount of additional expertise and experience to the Thompson Center,” Kanne said. “In addition to being able to see more kids, the variety of problems that we can address is increased given their particular areas of specialty.”

Both providers will continue their current range of comprehensive psychological evaluation and intervention services for children, adults, couples and families, including the patients and families already at the Thompson Center.

Knoop, a clinical associate professor in the College of Education who earned his doctorate in School Psychology at MU, said the clinic’s move also reflects a shared commitment to mentoring and training students across disciplines.

“This venture opens up new opportunities for student training and research, ranging from being mentored by and working alongside professionals in an interdisciplinary setting to gaining valuable experience working with patients and families with complex histories and symptoms associated with a much broader range of medical and mental health concerns,” he said.

The ACC administrative staff will join Knoop and Carney, an MU graduate who also offers bilingual services for Spanish-speaking clients, for the move to the Thompson Center, ensuring continuity of care for their patients while bringing more expertise under one roof.

“Dr. Kanne and the center staff generate a palpable sense of enthusiasm and passion about the services they provide,” Knoop said. “We look forward to working with our new colleagues.”

The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the University of Missouri is a national leader in confronting the challenges of autism & other developmental conditions through its collaborative research, training and service programs.