Diagnosis and management of autism in childhood

#### Summary points Autism spectrum disorder is a commonly used umbrella term for a class of neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by a triad of deficits in social reciprocity, impaired communication, and repetitive restricted patterns of behaviour or interests. Symptoms are evident in early childhood, often before age 3 years, and result in functional impairment. Autism was first described in the 1940s; it was originally thought to be relatively rare because only the most severely affected people were identified. However, epidemiological studies have documented an increasing prevalence over the past 15 years, with one UK cohort study from 2006 reporting a prevalence rate of about one in 110 children compared with four to five cases per 10 000 before the 1990s.1 This reflects, in part, recognition of a broader phenotype of affected individuals who share impairments within the three core areas.2 It is crucial that general clinicians are familiar with the diagnosis and management of autism because the importance of early identification and intervention, and the benefit of supporting families in navigating the myriad of decisions once …