For Healthcare Providers

Pediatricians play a vital role in children’s health and well-being. From the first appointment at only days old through transition to adult healthcare, pediatricians are not just medical providers. They are also listening ears, sage advisors, and care coordinators.

Children and adolescents’ needs are complex, thus the demands on their pediatricians are as well. When a child needs additional support, medically or otherwise, a pediatrician’s care and oversight become even more challenging and important.

When a pediatrician notes significant concerns for autism, a referral to a developmental behavioral pediatrician is the norm. However, a shortage of these specialists has led to waiting lists of 6 months to even two years. Many pediatricians feel helpless as they watch their patients wait an extended time for an autism evaluation, continue to struggle with developmental concerns and characteristics of autism, and lack full access to medically necessary treatment and support.

Autism New Jersey believes pediatricians are key in helping to address these unacceptably long delays to diagnosis.

Some patients will have complex presentations and should continue to be referred to specialists. However, many young patients who are displaying clear signs of autism can, and should, be diagnosed by their pediatrician. A pediatrician trained in autism assessment can provide a diagnosis for many patients and their families and allow them efficient access to much-needed treatment and support.

We do not take this lightly. Pediatricians who want to take a more active role in autism diagnosis should be competent, comfortable, accurate, and compassionate diagnosticians. To this end, we’ve created this introductory resource to help pediatricians identify patients who are showing signs of autism, introduce them to how to diagnose and when to refer for diagnosis, and support their effective and compassionate care of autistic patients.