No abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a complex neurodevelopmental condition, is a rapidly expanding public health crisis worldwide. The current care system for ASD is fragmented and inadequate. The medical community recognizes two major gaps as deserving of immediate attention: early screening and the transition to adulthood. In this essay, we emphasize the critical status of these two missing components and their negative impacts on ASD care. We also explore the systemic causes of these unmet needs, discuss how a primary care-based approach is best suited to close the gaps, and briefly introduce some innovative primary care-based interventions currently under way. Finally, we identify obstacles and propose steps to overcome these barriers in order to achieve timely diagnosis and continuity of care for patients with ASD.