Paul S. Carbone, MD: A Challenging Time for Autism Patients

Better management for pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is needed in the future.

Paul S. Carbone, MD, professor of pediatrics, University of Utah, explained in an interview with HCPLive® what gaps in autism management he believes can realistically be closed in the coming years in order to improve care for this patient population.

Carbone will present 2 presentations during the 2021 American Academy of Pediatrics Virtual Conference that focus on autism beyond diagnosis, specifically on managing the disease.

The session will include discussions on the current causes of autism and the appropriate medical workup, evidence-based treatments for autism, behavioral developmental interventions, complimentary alternative interventions, and how to make a practice more autism friendly.

Finally, the talk centers on the evaluation and management of co-occurring conditions.

Carbone said some of the most closeable gaps in autism management for general pediatricians is the co-occurring conditions, including insomnia, gastrointestinal conditions, and epilepsy, as well as other psychiatric conditions, such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression.

“Sometimes some of these co-occurring conditions, when they are not addressed can be a lot more disabling than the autism itself,” Carbone said.

He also said it is important to screen for some of the other diseases in order to improve care plans for patients. Finally, he said access to care must improve in the future to better care for minority patients who may have autism.