Management of children with autism spectrum disorders

Scott M. Myers, Chris Plauché Johnson, Paul H. Lipkin, J. Daniel Cartwright, Larry W. Desch, John C. Duby, Ellen Roy Elias, Eric B. Levey, Gregory S. Liptak, Nancy A. Murphy, Ann Henderson Tilton, Donald Lollar, Michelle Macias, Merle McPherson, Donna Gore Olson, Bonnie Strickland, Stephanie Mucha Skipper, Jill Ackermann, Mark Del Monte, Thomas D. ChallmanSusan L. Hyman, Susan E. Levy, S. Andrew Spooner, Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

644 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pediatricians have an important role not only in early recognition and evaluation of autism spectrum disorders but also in chronic management of these disorders. The primary goals of treatment are to maximize the child's ultimate functional independence and quality of life by minimizing the core autism spectrum disorder features, facilitating development and learning, promoting socialization, reducing maladaptive behaviors, and educating and supporting families. To assist pediatricians in educating families and guiding them toward empirically supported interventions for their children, this report reviews the educational strategies and associated therapies that are the primary treatments for children with autism spectrum disorders. Optimization of health care is likely to have a positive effect on habilitative progress, functional outcome, and quality of life; therefore, important issues, such as management of associated medical problems, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic intervention for challenging behaviors or coexisting mental health conditions, and use of complementary and alternative medical treatments, are also addressed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1162-1182
Number of pages21
JournalPediatrics
Volume120
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2007

Keywords

  • Asperger syndrome
  • Autism
  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Complementary and alternative medicine
  • Early intervention
  • Pervasive developmental disorders

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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