Health follow-up visits of children with autism

Abstract

Child health follow-up is the most important of basic health services and should continue at regular intervals until the age of 18 years. Physicians’ child health follow-up examinations present the best opportunity to deliver evidence-based preventive health services, such as monitoring the growth and development of the child, conducting age-appropriate screenings, providing vitamin/mineral support according to age and requirements, administering childhood vaccinations, informing the family about home accidents and nutrition, monitoring the child in terms of child neglect and abuse risks, and raising the awareness of the family in this regard. Child health follow-up should encompass not only children without any health problems but also those with mental, physical, visual, or hearing impairments, or special needs such as those with autism. Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and communication limitations and repetitive, restricted behaviors. The presence of a child with special needs such as autism can have social, psychological, and economic implications for family members. While there are many difficulties in caring for a healthy child, these difficulties increase exponentially in the care of a child with special needs. Professional assistance is necessary for families to address matters such as monitoring the child’s development, providing nourishment, and administering vaccinations. Children with autism constitute a group that needs to be closely followed up for vitamin-mineral deficiencies and growth retardation due to their higher risk of malnutrition. For these reasons, regular health follow-up of children with autism is essential at regular intervals.