Autistic Spectrum Disorder: supporting people in primary care

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) describes a set of neurodevelopmental disorders which affect people’s communication and the way they interact with the world. People with ASD have significant needs, which may affect how they use primary healthcare services. It is important, therefore, that primary healthcare professionals have an understanding of these needs and are able to adapt their practice to meeting them. This article defines ASD and describes its main characteristics and the needs of people with the condition. It also lists some practical ideas on how to support people with ASD in primary care. Definition and types