title: Primary care for adults on the autism spectrum.
abstract: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by differences in social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Skills and challenges can change depending on environmental stimuli, supports, and stressors. Quality of life can be improved by the use of accommodations, assistive technologies, therapies to improve adaptive function or communication, caregiver training, acceptance, access, and inclusion. This article focuses on the identification of ASD in adults, referrals for services, the recognition of associated conditions, strategies and accommodations to facilitate effective primary care services, and ethical issues related to caring for autistic adults.
authors.affiliation: Regional Research Institute, School of Social Work, Portland State University, 1600 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 900, Portland, OR 97201, USA; Departments of Medicine and Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University; Academic Autism Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, L475, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Academic Autism Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education, 1600 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 900, Portland, OR 97201, USA. Electronic address: nicol22@pdx.edu.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nicolaidis
authors.affiliation: Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 500 Parnassus Avenue, MU3E, Box 0900, San Francisco, CA 94143-0900, USA.
authors.forename: Clarissa Calliope
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Kripke
authors.affiliation: Regional Research Institute, School of Social Work, Portland State University, 1600 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 900, Portland, OR 97201, USA; Academic Autism Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education, 1600 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 900, Portland, OR 97201, USA.
authors.forename: Dora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raymaker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001519:Behavior; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D019548:Crime Victims; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D016743:Mental Competency; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care; D019727:Proxy; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D014754:Violence
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
keywords: Adults; Autism spectrum disorders; Developmental disabilities; Primary care