Autism Spectrum Disorder in Primary Care.

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental conditions
• Neurologic diversity and its impact on health outcomes

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition affecting 1 in 31 US children and 1 in 45 US adults.
• Diagnostic criteria include deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors, causing functional impairment.
• Autistic individuals face significantly lower life expectancy and higher rates of chronic health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• To highlight diagnostic criteria and recommended screening practices.
• To discuss health disparities and treatment approaches for autistic individuals.

Main Methods:

• Review of diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5-TR.
• Summary of American Academy of Pediatrics screening recommendations.
• Overview of common comorbidities and treatment strategies.

Main Results:

• ASD diagnosis requires specific social-communication deficits and restricted/repetitive behaviors.
• Pediatric screening is recommended at 18 and 24 months; adult screening is not standard.
• Autistic individuals experience reduced life expectancy and increased chronic health issues.
• Pharmacologic and behavioral interventions, including the SPACE framework, can manage symptoms and improve care.

Conclusions:

• Early diagnosis and comprehensive assessment are crucial for autistic individuals.
• Addressing comorbidities and implementing patient-centered care frameworks like SPACE can improve health outcomes.
• Further research into health disparities and effective interventions for ASD is warranted.