AIMS-2-TRIALS partner and Autism Champion Dr. Joaquin Fuentes, and colleagues Dr. Amaia Hervás and Dr. Patricia Howlin have released a new open-access publication: “ESCAP practice guidance for autism: a summary of evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment”.
In 2018, the European Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (ESCAP) identified the need for an Autism Practice Guidance document that would help to improve knowledge and practice in nations whose National Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Associations belonged to ESCAP. The Practice Guidance was endorsed by the ESCAP Board on October 3, 2019. It summarises current information on autism including detection, diagnosis and possible treatments.
This publication is the first guidance of its kind endorsed by ESCAP, and is designed to be used as a tool by clinicians and families. This information is particularly valuable for underserviced areas across Europe and the world, to help to bring about better support for autistic people.
Autisme France and Autismo España have helped produce French and Spanish versions of the Practice Guidance publication which have already been shared online. Further plans are in place to have this document adapted by local and national experts to the current conditions, culture and language of member countries: Austria, Belgium (Flemish), Belgium (French), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Servia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and Ukraine.
The publication is projected to reach a total population of 700 million people, including autistic communities, families and clinicians.
Full reference: Fuentes, J., Hervás, A. and Howlin, P. (2020). ESCAP practice guidance for autism: a summary of evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, pp.1-24.
Dr. Joaquin Fuentes: Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Policlinica Gipuzkoa and AIMS-2-TRIALS Champion.
