Coordination of Care for Children with Autism in Primary Care: Perceptions of Families and Professionals

Abstract

This article presents considerations about the processes of coordinating care for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the municipality of Barão de Cocais, Minas Gerais, Brazil. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired socialization that may present restricted or repetitive interests and activities, which affects 1 in 36 children worldwide. The objective was to identify the perceptions, needs and demands of actors involved in coordinating the care of children with ASD in the municipality of Barão de Cocais-MG. This is a qualitative research carried out between March and October 2024, which used as instruments focus groups and semi-structured interviews with health professionals and families. As a result, participants pointed out a lack of knowledge and skills necessary to deal with these patients and their families, a lack of theoretical references, inadequate referral and counter-referral flows, an absence of programmatic follow-up actions for children and their families, and precariousness in the care structure. The identified deficiencies hinder co-participation in the coordination of care by professionals and distance families from Primary Care.