Rates of autism diagnosis have increased over the past 20 years,1 reflecting increased awareness and recognition both by patients and by GPs. Indeed, many GPs are discovering autistic traits in themselves2 mirroring the shift towards increased diagnosis among those without co-occurring intellectual disability. While a fall in referrals for autism assessment occurred early in the pandemic, high profile celebrity revelations, media coverage, and perhaps the pandemic itself, continue to track with climbing numbers of referrals (Table 1).3 In fact, the number of referrals in the first quarter of 2021/2022 were more than double that of the corresponding period in 2019/2020.
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Summary of Autism Statistics Quarter 1 (April to June) 2019–20 to Quarter 1 (April to June) 2021–2022 3
As we discover more autistic people in our practices, how do we shape general practice to support this population?
AUTISTIC HEALTH CARE — BEYOND DIAGNOSIS
The needs of autistic patients do not end at diagnosis. Links between autism and poor health outcomes are well known. Higher rates of both physical …
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