Adults with autism spectrum disorder: Advice for primary care providers
| Provide "wrap-around" healthcare transitions when new patients enter the practice, addressing the need for services, insurance coverage, and the frequency and nature of anticipated future appointments. |
| Appreciate the heterogeneous nature of autism spectrum conditions and varying needs and achievements of individual patients and families. |
| Aim to provide a medical home for the patient and family. |
| Gain familiarity with the local and regional specialists, generalists, and social workers who provide care for this population to facilitate referrals for behavioral management strategies and comorbidities if needed. |
| Gain basic familiarity with local residential and job-training programs. |
| Assess the level of patient impairment due to autism spectrum disorder and any psychiatric and medical comorbidities. |
| Treat to reduce impairment rather than eliminate symptoms. |
| When initiating medications, use a low dose and a slow titration schedule to minimize adverse effects. |
| Wean or eliminate medications when possible. |
| Address sexual health needs on an individual basis, minimizing assumptions about sexual preference, gender identity, and sexual history. |
| Aim to provide preventive care in accordance with guidelines. |
| Recognize that high levels of caregiver stress and isolation are not infrequent, and encourage development of a social support network for the entire family. |