How Pediatricians & PCPs Can Support Children with Autism
Why Timely Autism Diagnosis Matters
Roughly 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This is a 317% increase from 2000, when it was 1 in 150. This steep rise is believed to be partially due to higher awareness of the condition and the implementation of widespread screening. Other factors may include more couples having children later, which increases the risk of autism, as well as environmental exposures that can aggravate underlying genetic risks.
On average, it takes more than two years for a child who has been positively screened for autism to receive a formal diagnosis. This diagnosis unlocks resources such as physical and speech therapy, school aides, and insurance coverage for specialized care. Without it, families are left waiting with a gap in their child’s care. Since symptoms of autism typically begin presenting around 12 to 18 months old, this gap occurs during a critical time in brain development when early intervention is critical. Research has shown that early intervention increases social communication and self-help skills in children with autism, which can have long-term effects on their learning and development.
The Role of Pediatricians in Autism Diagnosis
One of the main reasons for this delay is a severe shortage of developmental-behavioral specialists, who are relied on to make autism diagnoses. As of January 2023, there were 758 board-certified developmental-behavioral specialists to serve the 19 million children and adolescents in the United States who have developmental or learning disorders. To counter this shortage, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released an official recommendation for pediatricians to perform universal autism screenings and diagnose autism in primary care.
Autism diagnoses by pediatricians are shown to have a high degree of diagnostic agreement with specialists, and they substantially reduce the time between first symptoms and diagnosis. For example, one Boston hospital trained a primary care pediatrician on how to diagnose autism, and it brought the wait time for a developmental assessment down from 135 days to 68.
Our goal with this article is to connect you with the resources you need to feel confident in screening for and diagnosing autism in your practice. Make sure you bookmark this so you can return to it later when you’re looking for support!
Top Resources for Autism Screening and Diagnosis in Primary Care
The STAT™ (Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers) can screen for autism in children between 24 and 36 months of age. VMAP piloted an ECHO STAT training with UVA last year that is still in progress through June 2025. ECHO STAT has been shown to help pediatricians and other PCPs develop clinical expertise in diagnosing autism. When we offer this training again, those who are registered for VMAP will be the first to know—so make sure you’re one of them!
These tip sheets dive into how to screen and evaluate your pediatric patient for autism, as well as how to refer them for the right kind of specialized care. It doesn’t explain how to diagnose autism—the ECHO STAT training is the right resource for that!—but it reviews key factors to consider when preparing to perform diagnostic evaluations at your practice.
This comprehensive kit includes fact sheets, handouts, and further reading on clinical signs of autism, screening, biology, and diagnosis of autism. It also has sections on interventions, referrals, and working with families.
This tool helps you determine what support service would be best for your pediatric patient with autism, based on either their core area of need or recommendation type. This can be helpful as you try to navigate what referrals make the most sense for your patient and their family.
Call the VMAP Line to connect with child/adolescent psychiatrists, developmental pediatricians, and licensed mental health professionals for free same-day consultation to discuss your patient’s case and get support. These experts are knowledgeable in pediatric mental and behavioral health conditions, including autism. You can also request care navigation, which connects your patient’s families directly with local resources.
The VMAP Guidebook is a resource for pediatric and adolescent healthcare providers that contains evidence-based practices, up-to-date resources, and practical knowledge. There are also comprehensive Care Guides on different mental health conditions, which contain common screening questionnaires, suggested behavioral interventions, medication guidance, and more. In section 4.5 (page 216), we’ve included screening tools, a referral guide, evidence-based interventions, and post-diagnosis care. Check it out here!
If you’re ready to take the next step in supporting your pediatric patients with autism, start by exploring the resources above and make sure to save this article for when you need it most. In the moment, it can be hard to remember what steps to take and what support is available. Thank you for all you do for your patients and their families – your work is invaluable, and VMAP is here to support you in your daily practice.
Make sure you’re registered with VMAP so you’ll be the first to hear about upcoming ECHO STAT trainings and other support opportunities. Whether you’re building confidence in screening or looking for expert consultation, VMAP is here to help.
