Doctors can play a tremendous role in improving the quality of daily life for families living with autism. Yet, sometimes it can be challenging, especially for an individual with autism, to communicate with his or her doctor effectively. Many doctors also do not receive adequate training in working with patients on the autism spectrum. How does one ensure proper treatment and care? We have collected information on medical experts throughout the country that specialize in autism and various training programs to facilitate better relationships between doctors and patients on the autism spectrum. The following presentation by MHAF advisor Dr. Faith Frankel better explains how parents, doctors, and self-advocates can work together to ensure successful medical visits.
Below are some more resources to get started.
A toolkit is a resource manual that is broken down into helpful sections. Please explore the various medical toolkits below.
- AASPIRE Medical Toolkit (Easy to navigate toolkit regarding for both adults with ASD and health care providers. Tips, forms, and information regarding appointments, finding health care providers, insurance policies, etc.)
- Autism Speaks Medical Toolkit (Strategies to help the transition of an autistic adult from pediatrician to a primary care physician.)
- The National Autistic Society of the UK – Preparing to Visit a Doctor (Ideas for both parents and doctors)
View More Toolkits
- Foundation For People With Learning Disabilities – Giving Blood (Step-by-step explanation on what happens when one has blood work done)
- Guide for Doctors on How to Work with an Autistic Patient (By The National Autistic Society of the UK)
The articles and guides below cover a variety of topics related to medical issues. Some are written by autism medical experts and others by organizations, universities, and by parents and family members like you.
- ‘Gently Does It,’ Caring for Adults with Autism (American College of Physicians)
- Leaving The Pediatrician: Charting The Medical Transition of Youth with Autism (By Marina Sarris)
- Applying for Social Security and Medicaid: General Information (Autism Transition Handbook)
- Applied Behavior Analysis Services For Adults with Autism (VISTA Center for Behavioral Analysis)
View More Literature
- Summary of Dietary, Nutritional and Medical Treatments (Autism Research Institute)
- Hospitals Adapting for Adults With Autism (Op-Ed by Dr. Christopher Hanks with Live Science)
- Adults with Autism May Have High Burden of Health Problems (By Jessica Wright for Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative)
- A Study of Family Caregiving (Marsha Mailick Seltzer, Ph.D. and Marty Wyngaarden Krauss, Ph.D.)
- Autism Transition Resources: Moving from Pediatric to Adult Healthcare (MassGeneral Hospital for Children)
- “Autistic Adults Receive Medical Care At Center Designed For Them” (NPR)
- Transition Care for Special Children (Robin Wulffson, M.D.)
- Making Homes That Work: A Resource Guide for Parents Living with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Co-ocurring Behaviors (By George Braddock and John Rowell)
- Successfully Receive Social Security Disability Benefits with Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation)
- Treating Patients with Autism in a Dental Setting (Josalyn Dewell, RDH)
The websites below offer more comprehensive support and/or information for a variety of issues related to medical issues.
- Adult Autism and Developmental Disorders Center
- Medicaid Website
- Autism Transition Handbook: General information for Families
- Practical Oral Care for People with Autism
- The Affordable Care Act and Autism and Related Conditions -U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Healthcare.gov: Disabilities
- Disabilities and Healthy Living – CDC
- State Medicaid and CHIP Programs
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