Autism Spectrum Disorder

Course Topics

Evidence-based use of Medications to Address Target Symptoms in Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disabilities
Learners will be better able to identify common behavioral symptoms seen in children with autism spectrum disorder that may be a focus of psychotropic medication use, and they will be able to effectively implement pharmacological interventions in this patient population.

Identifying Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Primary Care Setting
Screening tools and diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will be discussed in detail and learners will be better able to identify children with ASD in the primary care setting to initiate timely referral to appropriate support services.

Original Release Date: April 2018
Review Date: April 2020, October 2020, October 2021

Target Audience

Pediatricians, Neurologists, Family Practice Physicians, Psychiatrists, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers and Hospitalists.

Learning Objectives

  • Recognize the common behavioral symptoms seen in children with autism spectrum disorder that may be a focus of psychotropic medication use.
  • Identify medication treatment of these behavioral symptoms with an emphasis on evidence-based use of medications.
  • Name screening instruments used to identify children with an autism spectrum disorder in a primary care setting.
  • Describe referral and service options available when a child receives a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder.
Additional information
Bibliography: 
  • American Academy of Pediatrics. Caring for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Resource Toolkit for Clinicians, 2007.
  • American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013.
  • Bishop S., Seltzer M. (2012). Self-Reported Autism Symptoms in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disorder, 42(11): 2354-2363.
  • CDC. (2018, February). Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html
  • Council on Children with Disabilities, Section on Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, Bright Futures Steering Committee and Medical Home Initiatives for Children With Special Needs Project Advisory Committee. (2006). Identifying Infants and Young Children With Developmental Disorders in the Medical Home: An Algorithm for Developmental Surveillance and Screening. Pediatrics, 118(1), 405-420.
  • Delahunty C. (2015). Developmental delays and autism: Screening and surveillance.  Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 82, Suppl. 1, S29-32.
  • Johnson C.P., Myers S.M. (2007). Identification and evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics, 120(5), 1183-1215.
  • Robins D.L., Casagrande K., Barton M., et. al. (2014). Validation of the modified checklist for Autism in toddlers, revised with follow-up (M-CHAT-R/F). Pediatrics, 133(1), 37-45.
  • Ruzich E., Allison C., Smith P, et. al.  (2015). Measuring autistic traits in the general population: a systematic review of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) in a nonclinical population sample of 6,900 typical adult males and females. Molecular Autism, 6:2.
  • Towle P., Patrick P. (2016). Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening Instruments for Very Young Children: A Systematic Review. Autism research and Treatment, Volume 2016 (2016), Article ID 4624829, 29 pages.
  • William J., Scott F., Stott C. (2005). The CAST (Childhood Asperger Syndrome Test): test accuracy. Autism, Feb;9(1):45-68.
  • Zwaigenbaum L., Bauman M.L., Fein D., et. al. (2015). Early Screening of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Recommendations for Practice and Research.  Pediatrics, Suppl. 1, S41-59.
Course Summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.25 General certificate of attendance
  • 1.25 Florida Board of Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors
  • 1.00 Nurse Practitioners
  • 1.00 Florida Board of Nursing
  • 1.00 Florida Board of Occupational Therapy
  • 1.25 Florida Board of Pharmacy
Course opens: 
04/01/2018
Course expires: 
12/31/2021

Daniel Castellanos, M.D.
Assistant Dean, Graduate Medical Education; Founding Chair and Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health; Secondary Appointment as Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Miami, Florida

Luis Carcache, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Miami, Florida

Daniel Castellanos, M.D. and Luis Carcache, M.D., faculty for this educational activity, have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* to disclose and have indicated that the presentations or discussions will not include off-label or unapproved product usage. 

J. Arturo Fridman, M.D., conference director for this educational activity, has no relevant financial relationship with ineligible companies* to disclose.

Non-faculty contributors and others involved in the planning, development, and editing/review of the content have no relevant financial relationships to disclose with ineligible companies*.  

*Ineligible companies -- Companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Disclosure Policy and Disclaimer

Baptist Health South Florida is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Baptist Health has been re-surveyed by the ACCME and awarded Commendation for 6 years as a provider of CME for physicians.
             
Baptist Health South Florida designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Available Credit

  • 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.25 General certificate of attendance
  • 1.25 Florida Board of Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors
  • 1.00 Nurse Practitioners
  • 1.00 Florida Board of Nursing
  • 1.00 Florida Board of Occupational Therapy
  • 1.25 Florida Board of Pharmacy
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