Importância Do Rastreio Precoce Do Transtorno Do Espectro Autista Na Atenção Primária À Saúde: Uma Revisão Integrativa

Abstract

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent difficulties in social communication and restricted, repetitive behavior patterns, usually manifesting in the first years of life. Primary Health Care (PHC) plays a strategic role and acts as the gateway for the early detection of suggestive signs of autism. Methodology: The current study comprises an Integrative Literature Review. The searches were conducted in the BVS, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and CAPES databases. After applying the inclusion criteria (full texts, English, Spanish and/or Portuguese languages, and a timeframe of the last 20 years) and exclusion criteria, 13 articles were selected to compose the final analysis. Results: Evidence shows that the systematic application of standardized and validated screening tools, especially the M-CHAT, associated with clinical observation, is able to reduce the age of diagnosis and the waiting time for therapeutic interventions. However, screening faces significant difficulties, the most prevalent being the lack of knowledge among parents and caregivers (cited in 38.46% of the studies), low training of health professionals, incorrect application of tools, and barriers to accessing quality services. Conclusion: Early screening for ASD in PHC is essential to ensure timely interventions and improve the cognitive skills and social adaptation of the child. However, the mere existence of screening tools is not enough; there is an urgent need for investment in the permanent education of professionals, the formulation of well-defined care workflows, and the adoption of standardized follow-up protocols.