Practice Patterns and Barriers in Assessing and Treating Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children With Down Syndrome

This study surveyed clinicians across specialties to identify barriers in diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in individuals with Down syndrome, where dual diagnosis (DS+ASD) occurs in 16-18% of cases but is often delayed. Results show most clinicians recognize that ASD diagnosis significantly impacts management, but challenges include limited access to specialized diagnostic evaluations and communication/behavioral difficulties that complicate assessment.