From policy to practice: strategies to overcome barriers in early autism care pathways.

Saad, Khaled; Al-Atram, Abdulrahman A; Elhoufey, Amira; Ragab, Mohammed Fouaad; Elgenidi, Anas; Sherif, Aya; Mahmoud, Rasha Refaat · Pediatr Res · 2026

Where this comes from

Abstract

Despite nationwide policies for early autism screening and intervention, many children with ASD still face delays; most are diagnosed after age three and receive considerably fewer therapy hours than recommended by experts. Delays occur for various reasons: parents might miss early signs of ASD, services are often limited to big cities, cultural beliefs slow help-seeking, and there is a lack of trained provider resources. Practical steps like parent education programs, government-funded digital therapies, and improved referral systems can facilitate quicker, more effective care for children, particularly in underserved areas.