Autism spectrum disorder

Your progress

Saved on this device.

Target exams

Red flags

• Toddler with no name response, limited joint attention or pointing, language delay or regression, and restricted/repetitive behaviours — start supports and diagnostic pathway now, not watchful waiting
• Developmental regression outside the early toddler window, or with seizures or focal neurology — exclude alternative encephalopathies
• Severe self-injury, aggression with injury risk, or catastrophic meltdowns — functional analysis, medical pain screen, least-restrictive safety plan before antipsychotics
• Autistic adolescent with new depression, suicidal ideation or self-harm — elevated suicide risk; do not dismiss as 'just autism'
• Suspected catatonia (mutism, posturing, food or fluid refusal) — medical-psychiatric emergency pathway
• New fixed delusions or hallucinations with functional break — assess for psychosis; do not diagnostic-overshadow

Life stages

Care settings

Clinical exam formats

Board mappings

• General and Community Paediatrics
• Growth, development and behaviour
• Autism spectrum disorder assessment and management
• Renewed curriculum for first-year trainees from 2027 — Learning goal 5: Clinical assessment – essential general paediatrics
• Renewed curriculum for first-year trainees from 2027 — Learning goal 12: Communication with patients, families, and health professionals
• Neurodevelopmental disability and behavioural paediatrics competencies
• Clinical Applications
• Development, behaviour and neurodisability
• Long Cases
• Short Cases
• 4. Professional skills and knowledge: Patient management
• 5. Professional skills and knowledge: Health promotion and illness prevention
• General Paediatrics: Assesses development and initiates appropriate management for neurodevelopmental conditions
• Foundation of Practice (FOP)
• Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP)
• Growth, development and neurodisability
• Clinical
• History
• Communication
• Development
• General Pediatrics Content Outline — Domain 1: Preventive Pediatrics/Well-Child Care
• General Pediatrics Content Outline — Domain 9: Mental and Behavioral Health
• General Pediatrics Content Outline — Domain 10: Neurology (as applicable to neurodevelopment)
• Patient Care 4: Clinical Reasoning
• Medical Knowledge 1: Clinical Knowledge
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills 1: Patient- and Family-Centered Communication
• Medical Expert
• Communicator
• Pediatrics: Foundations EPA — Assessing growth and development
• Pediatrics: Core EPA — Managing common developmental and behavioural conditions