2026 Pediatric Update (On-Demand)-Dr. Roseman and Dr. Stephens Caring for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Dr. Roseman and Dr. Stephens Caring for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speakers describe how adolescents and adults with complex childhood-onset conditions transition from pediatric to adult care, often facing “the cliff” when Medicaid and other services change around age 21. Common challenges include losing nursing, therapy, dental, transportation, DME, and other supports, plus differences in adult provider offices, insurance, and specialty resources. They emphasize the need for a safe, patient-centered transition: longer visits, close follow-up, team-based care, accommodations for sensory and communication needs, and realistic expectations that not everything can be solved in one visit. Dr. Stevens-Smith highlights avoiding ableism and diagnostic overshadowing, respecting autonomy, and treating these patients like any others while accounting for their complex needs. Organized, guided transitions improve satisfaction, reduce being lost to follow-up, and can lower hospitalizations and other complications.

Keywords

pediatric to adult care transition

complex childhood-onset conditions

Medicaid coverage changes

patient-centered transition

diagnostic overshadowing

team-based care