Leadership in health care, research, and quality improvement for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: Autism treatment network and autism intervention research network on physical health

摘要

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of highly prevalent, lifelong neurodevelopmental disorders affecting social, communicative, and behavioral functioning. Recent studies estimate the prevalence of ASDs as 1 in 88,12 indicating the public health importance of the disorders and making the development of effective care and treatment of ASD an urgent priority. Among the health care concerns for children and youth with ASD is a major need to strengthen awareness and treatment of associated medical conditions with standardized, comprehensive approaches to evaluation, treatment, and monitoring. Many individuals with ASD have symptoms associated with underlying medical conditions, including seizures, sleep problems, gastrointestinal (Gl) disorders, psychiatric conditions, nutritional deficiencies, and metabolic conditions; when left untreated, these conditions may not only compromise general health but also have clear effects on behavior, development, and educational outcomes for individuals with ASD.