Skyland Trail Expands Autism Expertise Through Clinical Partnership with Emory Autism Center

ATLANTA, Ga. — In response to the growing prevalence of co-occurring autism spectrum disorders among patients, Skyland Trail has launched a new clinical initiative to strengthen care for clients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across its programs.

As part of this effort, Skyland Trail has engaged Mikle South, Director of the Emory Autism Center, to provide structured clinical consultation services. The collaboration is designed to enhance the organization’s clinical, residential, and programmatic approaches to supporting individuals with ASD within its therapeutic environment.

The initiative will begin with a foundational training led by Dr. South for Skyland Trail’s clinical team, focused on practical tools and strategies to better support clients with ASD in a structured treatment setting. Ongoing consultation sessions will follow, offering tailored guidance to multidisciplinary teams across the organization.

Beginning in May 2026, Dr. South will host a series of virtual consultations with staff groups including adult and adolescent clinical teams, residential staff, adjunctive therapy providers, admissions and psychological testing staff, and care coordination and vocational services teams. Each session will address real-world clinical questions and challenges specific to each group’s role, helping staff apply evidence-based approaches in their daily work.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the individuals and families we serve,” says Beth Finnerty, president & CEO. “By deepening our expertise in autism-informed care, we are strengthening our ability to provide individualized, effective treatment across all levels of our programs.”

To maximize the impact of each consultation, participating teams will prepare in advance by sharing an overview of their scope of work and submitting targeted questions. This structured approach ensures that each session is focused, practical, and directly applicable to Skyland Trail’s care model.

Through this collaboration, Skyland Trail continues to advance its mission of delivering high-quality, evidence-based mental health treatment while adapting to the complex and changing needs of its client population.