AMA submission to the Autism Cooperative Research Centre consultation on draft of The diagnostic process for children, adolescents and adults referred for assessment of autism spectrum disorder in Australia: A national guideline

In response to growing concern the AMA developed its own position statement on Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2016, which contained calls for the development of appropriate clinical guidance for general practitioners (copy attached to submission).  The work of the Autism Cooperative Research Centre (CRN), and the members of the Steering Committee, to develop such guidance is welcomed.  The proposed two-tier approach to diagnostic assessment will feasibly reduce the time it takes for children with a typical ASD presentation to receive a diagnosis.  Children with complex presentations will undergo more comprehensive diagnostic assessments but given the variety of symptoms and presentations this is likely to be beneficial.