CE/CME

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Screening, Diagnosis and Management

Welcome to the training on Autism Spectrum Disorder: Screening, Diagnosis and Management provided by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

Credit Hours: 1.00 CE

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Goal

The goal of this module is to equip Texas Health Steps providers and others to recognize signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children and adolescents and to provide guidelines for diagnosis, referral and continuity of care in a primary care setting.

Target Audience

Texas Health Steps providers and other interested health care professionals.

Specific Learning Objectives

After completing the activities of this module, you will be able to:

  1. Assess common risk factors and clinical features of ASD.
  2. Specify how and when to conduct routine screenings for ASD and apply criteria for diagnosis.
  3. Summarize the importance of the medical home in caring for patients with ASD and how to respond to concerns expressed by parents.
  4. Choose when to refer patients with ASD to a specialist or subspecialist.

Note: In this course, the term "autism" refers to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as recognized by the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5. In addition, the term "parent" also refers to guardians and other caregivers.

Please note this module expires on 8/14/2026.

This module was released on 8/14/2023.

Featured

Bai, D., Yip, B. H. K., Windham, G.C., et al. (2019). Association of Genetic and Environmental Factors with Autism in a 5-Country CohortJAMA Psychiatry. 2019 Jul 17.

Bailey, C. (2021). Mood Disorders and ASD: What not to miss. The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. DOI: 10.13056/acamh.15119.

Baio, J., Wiggins, L., Christensen, D. L., et al. (2018). Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder among Children Aged 8 Years - Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2014. MMWR Surveillance Summary. 67(6):1–23.

Bridgemohan, C., Kaufman, B., Johnson, D.M., Shulman, L.H., & Zuckerman, K.E. (2019). Caring for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Practical Resource Toolkit for Clinicians, 3rd edition. American Academy of Pediatrics.

Carbone, P., Campbell, K., Wilkes, J., Stoddard, G., et al. (2020). Primary Care Autism Screening and Later Autism Diagnosis. (2020). Pediatrics. 146 (2): e20192314.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Study to Explore Early Development (SEED).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Learn the Signs. Act Early. Developmental Milestones.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute. Center for Autism Research (CAR) Autism Roadmap

Croen, L.A., Qian, Y., Ashwood, P., Zerbo, O., et al. (2019). Infection and Fever in Pregnancy and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Findings from the Study to Explore Early Development. Autism Res. 2019 Oct;12(10):1551-1561. doi: 10.1002/aur.2175. Epub 2019 Jul 17. PMID: 31317667; PMCID: PMC7784630.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. (2013). American Psychiatric Association: Washington, DC.

Gordon-Lipkin, E., Marvin, A. R., Kiely Law, J., & Lipkin, P. H. (2018). Anxiety and Mood Disorder in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Pediatrics 141 (4) e20171377.

Gragnani, C. M., & Fernandes, P. (2022). Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Well-Being in Autistic Youth. Pediatrics. March 2022; 149 (Supplement 4): e2020049437H. 10.1542/peds.2020-049437H.

Hyman, S. L., Levy, S. E., Myers, S.M., AAP Council on Children with Disabilities, Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. (2020). Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Pediatrics. 145(1):e20193447

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Manual. (2022). Disability Rights Texas and The Arc of Texas.

Klein, Kuo, A., & Torrest, A. Meeting the Primary Care Needs of Autistic Individuals. (2022). Pediatrics March 2022; 149 (Supplement 4): e2020049437G. 10.1542/peds.2020-049437G.

Lipkin, P., Macias, M., COUNCIL ON CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, SECTION ON DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL PEDIATRICS, et al. Promoting Optimal Development: Identifying Infants and Young Children With Developmental Disorders Through Developmental Surveillance and Screening. (2020). Pediatrics January 2020; 145 (1): e20193449. 10.1542/peds.2019-3449

Madra, M., Ringel, R., & Margolis, K.G. (2020). Gastrointestinal Issues and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America 20(3), 501-513.

McGuire, K., Fung, L. K., Hagopian, L., et al. (2016). Irritability and Problem Behavior in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Practice Pathway for Pediatric Primary Care. Pediatrics. 137(S2):e20152851L

Miller, L., Perkins, K., Dai, Y., & Fein, D., (2017).  Comparison of Parent Report and Direct Assessment of Child Skills in Toddlers. Res Autism Spectr Disord. 2017 Sep; 41-42: 57–65.

Nonacs, R. (2022). Essential Reads: Prenatal Valproate Exposure and Risk of Autism in Children. MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health.

Persico, A.M., & Merelli, S. (2014). Environmental Factors in the Onset of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Curr Dev Disord Rep 1, 8–19 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-013-0002-2

Texas Department of State Health Services. (2020). Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Services Program.

Tofani, M., Scarcella, L., Galeoto, G., Giovannone, F., & Sogos, C. (2022). Behavioral gender differences across Pre-School Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: a cross-sectional study. J Autism Dev Disord. 2022 Mar 15. doi: 10.1007/s10803-022-05498-y. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35290561.

Vargason, T., Frye, R.E., McGuinness, D.L., & Hahn, J. (2019). Clustering of co-occurring conditions in autism spectrum disorder during early childhood: A retrospective analysis of medical claims data. Autism Research, 12: 1272-1285.

Wallis, K. (2021). The Roadmap to Early and Equitable Autism IdentificationPediatrics July 2021; 148 (Supplement 1): s21–s24. 10.1542/peds.2021-050693E.

Wiggins, L.D., Durkin, M., Esler, A., et al. (2020). Disparities in documented diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder based on demographic, individual, and service factors. Autism Res. 2020;13(3):464–473.

Wilson, R.B. (2022). Improving Awareness, Identification, and Treatment of Motor Impairments in Autism. 149 (Supplement 4): e2020049437K.

Wong, C., Odom, S. L., Hume, K. A., et al. (2015). Evidence-based practices for children, youth, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder: a comprehensive review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(7):1951–1966

Wood-Downie, H., Wong, B., Kovshoff, H., Mandy, W., Hull, L., Hadwin, J.A. (2021). Sex/Gender Differences in Camouflaging in Children and Adolescents with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2021 Apr;51(4):1353-1364. doi: 10.1007/s10803-020-04615-z. PMID: 32691191; PMCID: PMC7985051.

Yan T., & Goldman, R.D. (2020). Melatonin for children with autism spectrum disorder. Can Fam Physician. 66(3):183-185. PMID: 32165465; PMCID: PMC8302336.

Definitions

The medical definitions in this module were obtained or adapted from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Autism Awareness Center, Autism Speaks, Boston Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute Center for Autism Research, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Fragile X Foundation, Mayo Clinic, National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine and WebMD.

Continuing Medical Education

The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service is accredited by the Texas Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Continuing Nursing Education

The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service has awarded 1.00 contact hour(s) of Continuing Nursing Education.

Social Workers

The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service under sponsor number CS3065 has been approved by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners to offer continuing education contact hours to social workers. The approved status of The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service expires annually on December 31. The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service has awarded 1.00 contact hour(s) of Continuing Social Work Education.

Certified Health Education Specialists

Sponsored by The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES) to receive up to 1.00 total entry-level Category I contact education contact hours.

Certificate of Attendance

The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service has designated 1.00 hour(s) for attendance.

Disclosure - ASD

One of the requirements of continuing education is disclosure of the following information to the learner:

  1. Notice of requirements for successful completion of continuing education activity. To receive continuing education credit the learner must successfully complete the following activities:
    • Create a Texas Health Steps account.
    • Complete on-line registration process.
    • Thoroughly read the content of the module.
    • Complete the on-line examination.
    • Complete the evaluation.
  2. Commercial Support.
    The THSTEPS Web-based Continuing Education Series has received no commercial support.
  3. Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships.
    The THSTEPS Continuing Education Planning Committee has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose:
    • Anne Marie Hain - Physician - Spouse of employee (Paul Hain) of a commercial interest organization - Chief Medical Officer, Senior Vice President, Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas.
  4. Non-Endorsement Statement.
    Accredited status does not imply endorsement of any commercial products or services by the Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service; Texas Medical Association; or American Nurse Credentialing Center.
  5. Off-Label Use.
    Using a disclosure review process, the THSTEPS Continuing Education Planning Committee has examined documents and has concluded that the authors of these modules have not included content that discusses off-label use (use of products for a purpose other than that for which they were approved by the Food and Drug Administration).

The following are policies and definitions of terms related to continuing education disclosure:

The intent of disclosure is to allow Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Continuing Education Service the opportunity to resolve any potential conflicts of interest to assure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all of its Continuing Education activities.

All faculty, planners, speakers and authors of Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Continuing Education Service sponsored activities are expected to disclose to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Continuing Education Service any relevant financial, relationships with any commercial or personal interest that produces health care goods or services concerned with the content of an educational presentation. Faculty, planners, speakers and authors must also disclose where there are any other potentially biasing relationships of a professional or personal nature.

Glossary of Terms

Conflict of Interest: Circumstances create a conflict of interest when an individual has an opportunity to affect Continuing Education content about products or services of a commercial interest with which she/he has a financial relationship or where there are any other potentially biasing relationships of a professional or personal nature.

Commercial Interest: Any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.

Financial Relationships: Those relationships in which the individual benefits by receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest (e.g., stocks, stock options or other ownership interest, excluding diversified mutual funds), or other financial benefit. Financial benefits are usually associated with roles such as employment, management position, independent contractor (including contracted research), consulting, teaching, membership on advisory committees or review panels, board membership, and other activities for which remuneration is received or expected. Relevant financial relationships would include those within the past 12 months of the person involved in the activity and a spouse or partner. Relevant financial relationships of your spouse or partner are those of which you are aware at the time of this disclosure.

Off Label: Using products for a purpose other that that for which it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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Featured

Resources for Providers

Ages and Stages Questionnaires

Autism Speaks. (2023). ATN/AIR-P Toilet Training Guide.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Learn the Signs. Act Early. Developmental Milestones.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). 2023 Community Report on Autism.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute. Center for Autism Research (CAR) Autism Roadmap.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. (2013). American Psychiatric Association: Washington, DC.

Got Transition

Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F).

National Autism Association. (2020). Big Red Safety Box.

​Texas Education Agency. (2019). Child Find, Evaluation & ARD Supports Network.

Texas Education Agency. (2022). Early Childhood Education in Texas.

Texas Education Agency. (2019). Technical Assistance: Child Find & Evaluation.

Texas Health and Human Services. Home and Community-based Services (HCS).

Resources to Share with Families

Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) operated by Texas Health and Human Services (Texas HHS). The centers are welcoming and offer information about state and federal health benefits as well as local programs and services. The trained staff can connect caregivers with services such as home care, meals, transportation, legal help, attendant care, respite support, and housing. Visit the ADRC website for a list of resource center locations in Texas.

2-1-1 Texas

The ARC of Texas

Autism Navigator. Video glossary of video glossary of early symptoms of ASD in toddlers, as well as other courses and information.

Autism Society of Texas

Autism Speaks Guides

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). (2020).

ATN/AIR-P Toilet Training Guide. (2020).

Melatonin and Sleep Problems in ASD: A Guide for Parents.(2018).

Sibling’s Guide to Autism

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute. Center for Autism Research (CAR) Autism Roadmap.

ECI Information for Health and Medical Professionals

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Manual. (2022). Disability Rights Texas and The Arc of Texas.

Navigate Life Texas

Take Time Texas. Information about and resources for respite care.

Texas Parent to Parent

Texas Statewide Leadership for Autism Training (TSLAT) website, which lists resources for treatment that Texas schools are asked to provide.