Pediatric Care Providers Receive New Clinical Guidance on Autism

Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has published a new clinical report on the evaluation and treatment of autism spectrum disorder for clinicians in pediatric care. This  report, Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (PDF), updates the 2007 American Academy of Pediatrics publication. It provides an online table of contents and section view available through the American Academy of Pediatrics Gateway to help the reader identify topic areas within the report.

The 2019 report notes, “In the 12 years since the American Academy of Pediatrics published the clinical report “Identification and Evaluation of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders” and its companion, “Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders,” reported prevalence rates of ASD in children have increased, understanding of potential risk factors has expanded, awareness of co-occurring medical conditions and genetic contribution to etiology has improved, and the body of research supporting evidence-based interventions has grown substantially. This updated clinical report builds on previous reports and guidance for the care of children and youth with ASD. It also reflects changes in diagnostic criteria after publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) in 2013.”

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