What are the current NICE guidelines regarding the management and support options available for children diagnosed with ASD?

Management and support options for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to NICE guidelines include:

• Access to health and social care services, including mental health services, should be ensured for all autistic children and young people, regardless of intellectual ability or coexisting diagnoses ².
• Local autism multi-agency strategy groups should coordinate the development of services, including the assessment, management, and transition to adult care, involving professionals from health, education, social care, and voluntary sectors ².
• Children diagnosed with autism should have a case manager or key worker to coordinate their treatment, care, support, and transition to adult services ².
• Referral to a multidisciplinary autism team should be considered based on severity, impact, and concern levels, with core team members including paediatricians, speech and language therapists, psychologists, and access to neurologists and occupational therapists ¹, ².
• Post-diagnosis, findings should be communicated sensitively, with a written report provided, and shared with the child's GP ¹.
• Support should include developing coping strategies and accessing community services, including skills for public transport, employment, and leisure activities ².
• Antipsychotic medication may be considered for managing severe behaviour that challenges, but only when psychosocial interventions are insufficient, and should be prescribed and monitored by a specialist, with clear guidance on target behaviours, dosing, and review ².
• Interventions such as neurofeedback, auditory integration training, omega-3 fatty acids, secretin, chelation, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy are not recommended for managing autism ².
• Support for coexisting mental health or medical problems should follow relevant NICE guidelines, including those for ADHD, depression, epilepsy, and others ².