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Resources > Professional Bodies and Institutions
Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP)
Guidance for GPs on autism care
Source: Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP)
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is the professional membership body for family doctors in the UK. Recognising the vital role of GPs as the first point of contact for many individuals seeking a diagnosis or support for autism, the RCGP provides specific resources and training to enhance primary care understanding and management of autism spectrum disorder. They develop clinical guidance, e-learning modules, and toolkits for GPs, focusing on areas such as recognising the signs of autism in both children and adults, making appropriate referrals for diagnosis, and providing ongoing holistic care. This includes managing co-occurring physical and mental health conditions, which are common among autistic people. The RCGP's initiatives aim to improve diagnostic pathways, reduce diagnostic delays, and ensure that autistic patients receive compassionate, well-informed care within general practice, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and a more supportive healthcare journey from the earliest stages.
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