National clinical practice guidelines for autism

by Casey Trejo

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Algorithm: Practice guidelines for surveillance for screening of autism

• Health care professionals (HCP) should identify autism signs early in life (preschool) through routine screening
• HCP should be well educated and have a good understanding of autistic clinical features to identify in children and associated comorbid problems
• The Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT), modified CHAT (M-CHAT), TheCommunication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile Infant/Toddler Checklist and many other tools can help health care professionals with identifying high risk autism characteristics Video: Autism Screening Tutorial with the use of The Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT)
• Interview the parent/guardian and obtain a health history/questionnaireand/or screening checklist
• Directly observe the child’s behavior and language development, and social interaction and play
• Direct children to receive a comprehensive evaluation of speech, language and communication skills
• The child’s intellectual, neuropsychological and adaptive functioning should be adequately assessed
• Other investigations as needed in a child: physical status, DNA analysis, audiological status and rule outs of other known etiologies of ASD
• Non Pharmacological Interventions include Communication Interventions such as Support for Early Communication Skills, Social Communication and Interaction, Behavior/Psychological Interventions, Interventions for Specific Behaviors, Auditory Integration Training and Auditory Integration Training
• Pharmacological intervention: Risperidone, Methylphenidate, Secretin, Melatonin
• Service Provisions: all facility employees involved in autism treatment or screening with children and families should receive proper and up-to-date education and skills training
• Parents and guardians should be offered training and support materials in any form absorbable such as the following:

Autism Society of Greater Phoenix (Arizona & National autistic resources)

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (Autism information and research)

S.E.E.K Arizona (direct care services for autism in Arizona)

Autism National Committee (Autism advocacy organization)

Autism Speaks (global biomedical research)

References:

Armstrong, Carrie. (2008). American Academy of Family Physicians: Practice Guidelines. Retrieved from http://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/1201/p1301.html

National Guideline Clearinghouse. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=11011&nbr=005791&string