title: Consensus Statement of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics on Evaluation and Management of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a clinically heterogenous condition with a wide range of etiological factors and causing significant public health burden. ASD poses a serious developmental disadvantage to the child in the form of poor schooling, social function and adult productivity. Thus, framing evidence-based national guidelines is a pressing need.
  
  
  METHODS
  The meeting on formulation of national consensus guidelines on neurodevelopmental disorders was organized by Indian Academy of Paediatrics in Mumbai on 18th and 19th December 2015. The invited experts included Pediatricians, Developmental Pediatricians, Psychiatrists, Remedial Educators, Pediatric Neurologists and Clinical Psychologists. The participants framed guidelines after extensive discussions. Thereafter, a committee was established to review the points discussed in the meeting.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To provide consensus guidelines on evaluation and management of ASD in children in India.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intervention should begin as early as possible. A definitive diagnosis is not necessary for commencing intervention. Intervention should target core features of autism i.e. deficits in social communication and interaction, and restricted repetitive patterns of behavior, activities and/ or interests. Intervention should be specific, evidence-based, structured and appropriate to the developmental needs of the child. Management of children should be provided through interdisciplinary teams, coordinated by the Pediatrician. Management of co-morbidities is critical to effectiveness of treatment. Pharmacotherapy may be offered to children when there is a specific target symptom or co-morbid condition.
authors.affiliation: From New Horizons Group, Mumbai; *Assam Autism Foundation, Guwahati; #PD Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai; $Centre for Child Development and Disabilities, Bangalore; ‡Welcare Hospital, Vytilla; †Kerala University, Thrissur; India. Correspondence to: Dr Samir Dalwai, New Horizons Child Development Centre, Mumbai, India. samyrdalwai@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dalwai
authors.forename: Shabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Vrajesh
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Udani
authors.forename: Nandini
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mundkur
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kamath
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: C Nair
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D032921:Consensus; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007223:Infant; D010372:Pediatrics