Physician Perspectives on Providing Primary Medical Care to Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Primary-care doctors admit they are not ready for adults with autism and ask for protocols and residency reform.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Warfield et al. (2015) interviewed family doctors about caring for adults with autism.
They asked what makes check-ups hard and what would help.
The team recorded and coded every answer to find common themes.
What they found
Doctors said the system, the clinic, and their own training all get in the way.
They want clear autism-friendly protocols and better lessons in residency.
Without these fixes, routine care like physicals or blood work often gets skipped.
How this fits with other research
Van Cleave et al. (2018) asked the same questions about kids and got the same answers.
Their study adds one fix: give pediatricians quick BCBA phone consults during visits.
DaWalt et al. (2025) interviewed French providers a decade later and still heard “we need training.”
The echo across years and countries shows the gap is real and lasting.
Why it matters
If physicians feel lost, your adult clients miss out on basic medical care.
Share simple visual schedules or desensitization plans with the doctor before the appointment.
Push local residency programs to add autism modules; Erickson’s team shows they will listen.
Want CEUs on This Topic?
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ free CEUs — live every Wednesday. Ethics, supervision & clinical topics.
Join Free →Email your client’s doctor a one-page tip sheet on using visual timers and reinforcement during the next physical.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
We conducted in-depth case studies of 10 health care professionals who actively provide primary medical care to adults with autism spectrum disorders. The study sought to understand their experiences in providing this care, the training they had received, the training they lack and their suggestions for encouraging more physicians to provide this care. Qualitative data were gathered by phone using a structured interview guide and analyzed using the framework approach. Challenges to providing care were identified at the systems, practice and provider, and education and training levels. Solutions and interventions targeting needed changes at each level were also proposed. The findings have implications for health care reform, medical school and residency training programs, and the development of best practices.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2015 · doi:10.1007/s10803-015-2386-9