Training of child and adolescent psychiatry fellows in autism and intellectual disability

Abstract

Patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and intellectual disability (ID) can be clinically complex and often have limited access to psychiatric care. Because little is known about post-graduate clinical education in ASD and ID, we surveyed training directors of child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) fellowship programs. On average, CAP directors reported 3 and 4 hours per year, respectively, of lectures in ASD and ID. Training directors commonly reported that trainees see 1–5 patients with ASD or ID per year for outpatient pharmacological management and inpatient treatment. Forty five percent of directors endorsed needing additional resources for training in ASD and ID, which, coupled with low didactic and clinical exposure, suggests that current training is inadequate.

Intellectual Disability and Language Disorder

“…Development of improved screeners and expanded training for child psychiatrists in neurodevelopmental disorders (71) are worthwhile public health considerations to promote earlier identification and management. Further research on evidence-based treatment is also a priority, since extant literature frequently involves small samples or less rigorous study designs.…”

Psychotropic Medication Use Among Adolescents and Young Adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: Parent Views About Medication Use and Healthcare Services

“…For example, adolescents access services through children's services and the school system, whereas young adults receive services within the adult system. Further, young adults must move from the pediatric to the adult health care system, where access to health care professionals and trainees who have the capacity and expertise to care for individuals with ASD is sparse (Bruder et al 2012;Cheak-Zamora et al 2013;Marrus et al 2014). Lastly, medication efficacy, tolerability, and the reason(s) for prescribing medication or the individual's psychiatric presentation, may also differ between the two groups.…”

“They Looked at Me as a Person, Not Just a Diagnosis”: A Qualitative Study of Patient and Parent Satisfaction with a Specialized Primary Care Clinic for Autistic Adults

“…Current training in autism is severely limited for physicians. 11,31,32 The lack of training provided to physicians during residency and physicians' lack of knowledge about working with autistic individuals have been identified as the most critical barriers to primary care for autistic adults. 11 CAST providers obtained expertise through educational sessions with developmental and behavioral pediatricians and psychiatrists with experience caring for autistic individuals as well as regular contact with autistic adults and parents.…”