If it takes a village to raise a neurotypical child, we should be working to provide that and so much more for children with autism spectrum disorder. Among those resources needed may be an autism psychiatrist, a professional whose role encompasses way more than just diagnostics.
Psychologist, psychiatrist, behavioral pediatrician, neurologist — the terms and the function each expert serves, when it comes to autism, can be confusing. While family doctors or pediatricians are often a first stop for parents, the role of a psychiatrist for children on the spectrum may be equally important.