Pediatric Resident Participation in Primary Care Autism Evaluations: A Novel Continuity Clinic Training Opportunity

There is a growing need for autism evaluations in young children. Wait times to evaluation are long due to the limited specialty workforce. Primary care autism evaluations are 1 solution, but many providers lack training and confidence in autism care. Literature highlights the need for improvement in developmental and behavioral pediatrics training among pediatric residents. This study evaluates resident confidence in autism care after participation in a novel autism evaluation pathway in a primary care pediatric resident continuity clinic.

Pediatric residents led a primary care autism evaluation with a trained pediatrician in their continuity clinic. Residents were provided with enhanced autism education which included neurodiversity-affirming strategies and training on the use of an autism assessment tool. Presurveys and postsurveys were used to assess resident confidence in autism care before and after the educational intervention. Survey data were compared using Mann-Whitney U tests appropriate for ordinal, nonpaired data.

Thirty resident-led autism evaluations were conducted during the study period. There was statistically significant improvement in resident confidence in autism screening, use of assessment tools, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment recommendations, sharing resources, understanding of neurodiversity, and use of a strength-based approach after participation.

Providing autism education and hands-on primary care autism evaluation training opportunities for residents in pediatric continuity clinic improves confidence in autism care. This model is 1 way to enhance autism education and training during pediatric residency which may have a positive impact on the care provided to autistic patients.