title: Evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in individuals with ASDs: a consensus report.
abstract: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are common and clinically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders. Gastrointestinal disorders and associated symptoms are commonly reported in individuals with ASDs, but key issues such as the prevalence and best treatment of these conditions are incompletely understood. A central difficulty in recognizing and characterizing gastrointestinal dysfunction with ASDs is the communication difficulties experienced by many affected individuals. A multidisciplinary panel reviewed the medical literature with the aim of generating evidence-based recommendations for diagnostic evaluation and management of gastrointestinal problems in this patient population. The panel concluded that evidence-based recommendations are not yet available. The consensus expert opinion of the panel was that individuals with ASDs deserve the same thoroughness and standard of care in the diagnostic workup and treatment of gastrointestinal concerns as should occur for patients without ASDs. Care providers should be aware that problem behavior in patients with ASDs may be the primary or sole symptom of the underlying medical condition, including some gastrointestinal disorders. For these patients, integration of behavioral and medical care may be most beneficial. Priorities for future research are identified to advance our understanding and management of gastrointestinal disorders in persons with ASDs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. tbuie@partners.org
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Buie
authors.forename: Daniel B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: George J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: Glenn T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Furuta
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vandewater
authors.forename: Agnes H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Whitaker
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Atkins
authors.forename: Margaret L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bauman
authors.forename: Arthur L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Beaudet
authors.forename: Edward G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Gershon
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hyman
authors.forename: Pipop
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jirapinyo
authors.forename: Harumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jyonouchi
authors.forename: Koorosh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kooros
authors.forename: Rafail
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kushak
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Levitt
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Jeffery D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Katherine F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Marvin R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Natowicz
authors.forename: Aderbal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sabra
authors.forename: Barry K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Wershil
authors.forename: Sharon C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Weston
authors.forename: Lonnie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zeltzer
authors.forename: Harland
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Winter
mesh_terms: D002364:Caseins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D003938:Diagnostic Techniques, Digestive System; D055050:Diet, Gluten-Free; D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000502:physiology; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006266:Health Education; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D008487:Medical History Taking; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010539:Permeability; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal
chemical_list: D002364:Caseins