About the Book
What if neurodiverse individuals, including those dealing with autism, could find an integrated approach — in one place — that actually worked? What if they didn’t have to embark on a costly Diagnosis Odyssey, only to end up frustrated and no closer to a solution than when they started?
Pediatric neurologist Mark Mintz, MD will show you that it doesn’t have to be this way — because he has found a new path that has been transforming health care and producing better outcomes for his patients.
Wrong and inefficient treatment, over-reliance of medications, Byzantine healthcare bureaucracies and antiquated reimbursement systems disconnected from the actual value of care are affecting outcomes. Dr. Mintz will show you the problems with the system, some of which you know about, some of which may surprise you. He will take you to the bottom line and prove why cheaper doesn’t mean less expensive, and show you how a multi-disciplinary approach, inviting many perspectives to each case, actually streamline care and serves patients better. Working with the vast knowledge of his team consisting of professionals who specialize in both the medical and behavior side of diagnosis and treatment, he will show you how they were able to create an integrated system, stop the Diagnosis Odyssey in its tracks and bring real help to children, adults and their families.
Join Dr. Mintz on this journey through the healthcare “system” and meet the patients it has ill-served , only to be rescued by him and his team of caregivers. His head-and-heart approach will leave parents of children with autism and other neurological conditions realizing that, no matter their previous experiences, there is still hope.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1:
A Fragmented Healthcare System
Chapter 2:
An Integrated Approach That Works
Chapter 3:
Cheaper Isn’t Always Less Expensive
Chapter 4:
Producing Optimized Outcomes
Chapter 5:
First, There Is Hope …
Chapter 6:
A Clinical Model for Autism
Acknowledgments
About the Author
About NeurAbilities Healthcare
About the Author :
A quadruple-board-certified neurologist, published author, invited lecturer, medical school faculty member, and founder/ medical director of the groundbreaking specialty care company NeurAbilities, MARK MINTZ, M.D. is on the cutting edge of healthcare reform. With special qualification in child neurology, his focus is on treating children with autism and associated conditions. Upon entering the field, he recognized that the prevailing healthcare paradigm was broken and needed a new approach, a realization that has made him a leading advocate and voice for patients and their families. Dr. Mintz practices in Vorhees, New Jersey.
Review :
"To begin on an unequivocal note, let it be understood that Dr. Mintz has shined a bright light on a fragmented healthcare delivery system for autistic individuals that is ineffective, inconsistent, and improvident beyond belief. However, through a series of poignant stories, made possible by medical and behavioral science, Dr. Mintz demonstrates the power of a holistic, integrated medical home for autism treatment. His model of care clearly produces the coveted trinity of outcomes: capability, comfort, and calmness for his patients. Optimizing Outcomes may well be considered the harbinger of hope for families, and a blueprint for professionals."
Michael J. Cameron, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA,
University of Southern California
"Our son Matthew suffered from recurring bouts of vomiting from the time he was six months old. In search of a cure, we had taken him to every specialist in every world-renowned medical facility we could find. He underwent more medical testing than any small child should ever have to endure, yet no one could give us answers. And then our world changed when we met Dr. Mintz at NeurAbilities Healthcare. After our first visit with Dr. Mintz, we left with a treatment plan and Matt never had an episode again. It is my hope that by telling Matt's story, and other stories from families like ours, we can save a family from the six years of suffering we endured. As Matt's mom, I know Dr. Mintz saved Matt's life."
Jennifer Williams,
Matt's grateful mom
"Dr. Mark Mintz's vision of integrated health care for families dealing with neurodevelopmental disability grew into a reality, step-by-step, over three decades. Optimizing Outcomes describes the process of creating a novel health care model-identifying the need, understanding the complexity, developing the mission, coordinating the resources, applying the neuroscience, and optimizing the outcomes. Dr. Mintz is a true visionary with compassion as well as a master team-builder who knows how to implement ideas into interdisciplinary and comprehensive clinical care. An amazing narrative about a creative means to a better end."
William D. Graf, MD,
Child Neurologist; Professor of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine
"Optimizing Outcomes is so well written you can feel the emotion of what the people Dr. Mintz writes about are experiencing, and the impact their health is having on their lives. Optimizing Outcomes gives hope that, with the help of Specialty Care Medical Home practices, children with autism need not be 'defined by their diagnosis, ' but it will only be a part of who they are. People can get the help that they need."
Liza Gundell,
CEO, Autism Family Services of New Jersey
"I encourage both healthcare professionals, caregivers, and the public to read Dr. Mark Mintz's significant contributions in Optimizing Outcomes describing and proposing innovative healthcare delivery models for the underserved population of special needs individuals. Readers will find essential information and guidance for developing solutions for improving the lives of those suffering from both common and complex Neurodevelopmental Disabilities."
James M. Oleske, MD, MPH,
François-Xavier Bagnoud Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics-Emeritus, Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School
