Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a set of complex neurodevelopmental disorders defined behaviorally by impaired social interaction, delayed and disordered language, repetitive or stereotypic behavior and a restricted range of interest. A study recently released by the CDC indicates that that one out of every 88 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an ASD. Many individuals with ASD have symptoms associated with underlying medical conditions, including seizures, sleep problems, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, and metabolic conditions, that when left untreated, may compromise not only general health, but also behavioral, developmental, and educational outcomes of individuals with ASD. Unfortunately, children with ASD face many barriers in accessing appropriate healthcare and are less likely than children with intellectual disability or other special needs to obtain the specialty medical care that they need.
The barriers to medical care for children with ASD include the lack of primary and specialty health care providers with the training and experience to identify and assess medical conditions appropriately in this population. Even when medical conditions are recognized, physicians are reluctant to treat patients with ASD because there are no standard diagnostic and treatment procedures and minimal medical standards to treat the associated medical conditions or guide their care. This is due, in part, to the fact that physicians and parents have traditionally viewed ASD as a communication and behavioral disorder. Thus, treatment has tended to focus on these aspects of ASD, while medical conditions in patients have not received adequate attention.
Learn about NICHQ's work to improve care for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
