The Indiana LEND program, housed within the Division of Developmental Medicine, provides an interdisciplinary training experience that prepares graduate and post graduate professionals from numerous health, education and related disciplines to deliver high quality services which result in improved systems of care for persons with autism spectrum disorders and other neurodevelopmental and related disabilities (including cognitive disabilities, neurodegenerative and acquired neurological disorders) and their families. The faculty of the Indiana LEND program provide direct patient care services through IU Health as well as performing many other functions, including advocacy, research, technical assistance, continuing education, and training.
Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) programs are graduate-level interdisciplinary leadership training programs that are federally funded through the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal Child Health Bureau (MCHB).
LEND programs are located in every U.S. state and territory and are all part of universities or medical centers. They serve as a bridge between the university and the community, bringing together the resources of both to achieve meaningful change.
Over the course of five decades, IU School of Medicine LEND trainees have gone on to serve Indiana and the nation. Graduates include expert clinicians, university faculty, policy makers, researchers and administrators. The LEND program is provided by the Division of Developmental Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine.