Technical Report: The Pediatrician’s Role in the Diagnosis and Management of Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Children

Sandler, Adrian D. MD, Chairperson
Brazdziunas, Dana MD
Cooley, W. Carl MD
González de Pijem, Lilliam MD
Hirsch, David MD
Kastner, Theodore A. MD
Kummer, Marian E. MD
Quint, Richard D. MD, MPH
Ruppert, Elizabeth S. MD
Anderson, William C.
Crider, Bev
Burgan, Paul MD, PhD
Garner, Connie RN, MSN, EdD
McPherson, Merle MD
Michaud, Linda MD
Yeargin-Allsopp, Marshalyn MD
Johnson, Chris P. MEd, MD
Wheeler, Lani S.M. MD
Shannon, Michael MD, MPH

Social Security Administration (Anderson)
Family Voices (Crider)
Social Security Administration (Burgan)
US Dept of Education (Garner)
Maternal and Child Health Bureau (McPherson)
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Michaud)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Yeargin-Allsopp)
Section on Children With Disabilities (Johnson)
Section on School Health (M.)

The recommendations in this statement do not indicate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances, may be appropriate.

Pediatrics 107(5):p e85, May 2001.

ABSTRACT.

Autism and its milder variants are not rare. Most pediatricians will have the opportunity to provide a medical home for a child with autism. This technical report serves to complement and expand on the information in the accompanying policy statement to increase the pediatrician’s fund of knowledge and comfort level in caring for children with autism. In so doing, it is anticipated that earlier diagnosis and referral for appropriate intervention will be possible and that this will, in turn, have a positive effect on long-term outcomes for children with autism and their families.