Advancing Autism Knowledge and Care in the C-L Setting: Skills for the C-L Psychiatrist: A Pediatrics SIG-sponsored Workshop

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common diagnosis and prevalence rates continue to rise; recent studies show that one in 40 children in the US carry this diagnosis. (1) Patients with ASD often have significant challenges in medical settings due to limited communication abilities, sensory processing difficulties, resistance to change in routine, and difficulty regulating behavior when stressed, which can worsen autism related behaviors and aggression, delay diagnosis and treatment, and limit their participation in their care. This patient population additionally has significant medical comorbidities, more symptoms of chronic medical problems and mortality rates that are 2.4 times higher than the general population; these rates are even higher in patients with severe intellectual disabilities. (1, 2) Providers may be unfamiliar with how to effectively complete a diagnostic assessment, manage their behaviors and provide treatment, leading to poorer patient outcomes and increased distress in both providers and patients.

Consultation-liaison (CL) psychiatrists can improve the care of patients with ASD through staff education, patient and family involvement, and coordinated care using best practices.

This symposium will help attendees gain a better understanding of unique challenges in the care of patients with autism and provide skills and strategies to better support these patients and improve their medical care experience.

Dr. Laura Markley will begin by discussing the diagnosis of autism and providing an overview of common symptoms (18 minutes).

Dr. Alex Israel will discuss common medical comorbidities associated with autism and give tips on how to best treat these (18 minutes).

Dr. Serena Fernandes will describe the process and benefits of standardizing autism specific care and identify systemic interventions and tools to improve the hospital experience (18 minutes).

Dr. Julie Jacobson will discuss best practices in management of agitation and aggression in patients with ASD (18 minutes).

Dr. Shelly Kucherer will talk about how to manage sexuality in patients with ASD including menstruation, sexual health, contraception, and the treatment of hypersexual behaviors (18 minutes).

References:

1. Thom, R. P., McDougle, C. J., & Hazen, E. P. (2019). Challenges in the medical care of patients with autism spectrum disorder: the role of the consultation-liaison psychiatrist. Psychosomatics, 60(5), 435-443.

2. Volkmar, F. R., Reichow, B., & McPartland, J. C. (2014). Adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders. New York: Springer.