Management of autism in children and young people
Authors: Veereman Geneviève , Holdt Henningsen Kirsten , Eyssen Marijke , Benahmed Nadia , Christiaens Wendy , Bouchez Marie-Hélène , De Roeck Ann , Deconinck Nicolas , De ligne Gaby , Dewitte Griet , Gheysen Tine , Hendrix Maryse , Kagan Claire , Magerotte Ghislain , Moonen Marleen , Roeyers Herbert , Schelstraete Sara , Soncarrieu Marie-Vinciane , Steyaert Jean , Tolfo Flavio , Vrancken Géraldine , Willaye Eric , Wintgens Anne , Wouters Sara , Croonenberghs Jan 
Published: January 2025

SCIENTIFIC REPORT 11 -- 1 INTRODUCTION 11 -- 1.1 BACKGROUND 11 -- 1.2 THE NEED FOR A GUIDELINE 12 -- 1.3 SCOPE 12 -- 1.4 REMIT OF THE GUIDELINE 13 -- 1.4.1 Overall objectives 13 -- 1.4.2 Specific aims 13 -- 1.4.3 Target users of the guideline .13 -- 1.5 STATEMENT OF INTENT 13 -- 1.6 FUNDING AND DECLARATION OF INTEREST 14 -- 2 METHODOLOGY 14 -- 2.1 INTRODUCTION 14 -- 2.2 GENERAL APPROACH 14 -- 2.3 THE GUIDELINE DEVELOPMENT GROUP AND THE STAKEHOLDER PANEL 15 -- 2.3.1 The GDG 15 -- 2.3.2 The stakeholders 15 -- 2.4 SEARCH FOR EVIDENCE 16 -- 2.5 QUALITY APPRAISAL 16 -- 2.6 IN- AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA 16 -- 2.7 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 17 -- 2.8 DATA EXTRACTION AND EVIDENCE SUMMARY 19 -- 2.9 FORMULATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS 19 -- 2.10 EXTERNAL REVIEW BY STAKEHOLDERS 20 -- 2.11 FINAL VALIDATION 21 -- 3 DEFINITIONS 21 -- 3.1.1 General definitions 21 -- 3.1.2 Specific interventions 22 -- 4 MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AUTISM 26 -- 4.1 EXPERIENCE OF CARE AND THE ORGANIZATION AND DELIVERY OF CARE 26 -- 4.1.1 NICE 26 -- 4.1.2 HAS guideline 30 -- 4.2 INTERVENTIONS AIMED AT THE CORE FEATURES OF AUTISM 34 -- 4.2.1 Psychosocial interventions for core features of autism 34 -- 4.2.2 Pharmacological interventions for core features of autism 36 -- 4.2.3 Biomedical intervention for core features of autism 37 -- 4.2.4 Recommendations regarding interventions aimed at the core features of autism 38 -- 4.2.5 From evidence to recommendations 47 -- 4.3 INTERVENTIONS AIMED AT BEHAVIOUR THAT CHALLENGES 47 -- 4.3.1 Evidence  psychosocial interventions 48 -- 4.3.2 Effect of psychosocial interventions on behaviour that challenges 48 -- 4.3.3 Evidence - pharmacological interventions 48 -- 4.3.4 Effect of pharmacological interventions on behaviour that challenges 48 -- 4.3.5 Evidence  biomedical interventions 49 -- 4.3.6 Effect of biomedical interventions on behaviour that challenges 49 -- 4.3.7 From evidence to recommendations 54 -- 4.4 INTERVENTIONS AIMED AT ASSOCIATED FEATURES OF AUTISM AND COEXISTING CONDITIONS 54 -- 4.4.1 Impairments in adaptive behaviour 54 -- 4.4.2 Speech and language problems 58 -- 4.4.3 IQ, academic skills and learning 64 -- 4.4.4 Sensory sensitivities 68 -- 4.4.5 Motor difficulties 71 -- 4.4.6 Common coexisting mental health problems 74 -- 4.4.7 Common medical and functional problems 78 -- 4.4.8 Specific interventions related to sexuality for adolescents 86 -- 4.4.9 From evidence to recommendations 87 -- 4.5 INTERVENTIONS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE IMPACT ON THE FAMILY 87 -- 4.5.1 Psychosocial interventions aimed at improving the impact of autism on the family 87 -- 4.5.2 Pharmacological interventions aimed at improving the impact of autism on the family 87 -- 4.5.3 Biomedical interventions aimed at improving the impact of autism on the family 88 -- 4.5.4 From evidence to recommendations 90 -- 4.6 ADVERSE EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERVENTIONS 90 -- 4.6.1 Harms associated with psychosocial interventions 90 -- 4.6.2 Harms associated with pharmacological interventions. 90 -- 4.6.3 Harms associated with biomedical interventions 93 -- 4.6.4 Conclusion regarding adverse events associated with interventions 93 -- 4.6.5 From evidence to recommendations 94 -- 5 RECOMMENDATIONS 94 -- 5.1 RECOMMENDATIONS ADAPTED BY GDG FROM THE NICE AND HAS GUIDELINE 94 -- 5.1.1 Other considerations 105 -- 5.2 GLOBAL SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS 105 -- 5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH 107 -- 5.3.1 Other considerations 108 -- 5.3.2 Perspectives 108 -- 6 CONSENSUS STATEMENT APPLIED TO THE BELGIAN CONTEXT 109 -- 6.1 INTRODUCTION 109 -- 6.2 ORGANIZATION OF CARE AND EDUCATION IN BELGIUM 110 -- 6.3 DOCUMENTS AND WEBSITES RELATED TO AUTISM IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS 110 -- 6.3.1 Advice of the Belgian National Superior Health Council 111 -- 6.4 OPINION ON PRIORITIES TO IMPROVE THE CARE FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH -- AUTISM IN BELGIUM 111 -- 6.4.1 Other considerations 113 -- 6.5 CONCLUSIONS 113 -- 7 IMPLEMENTATION AND UPDATING OF THE GUIDELINE 113 -- 7.1 IMPLEMENTATION 113 -- 7.1.1 Barriers and facilitators for implementation of this guideline 113 -- 7.2 GUIDELINE UPDATE 114 -- REFERENCES 115