Nurse practitioners often encounter children and adolescents, who present with signs of an autistic spectrum disorder. Is there a brief screening tool, what further assessments and services are needed, and should the medication regime/management be initiated? These questions and more are reviewed to expand the provider’s competence in making sound clinical judgements for youth who present with neuroatypical features. NPs are in a strategic position to make the diagnosis of “rule out autism.” Delays in proper diagnosis and initiation of a treatment plan should be minimized in this potentially disabling developmental disorder.

Sonya Montgomery, FNP-BC, PMHCS-BC; Pediatric Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Focus Behavioral Health; Asheville NC