THE ROLE OF FAMILY HEALTH STRATEGY IN SUPPORTING PATIENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Abstract

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and restricted and repetitive behavior patterns, often identified in early childhood. Given the growing prevalence of this disorder and the complexity of its management, it is essential to understand the role of public health policies, especially the Family Health Strategy (FHS), in ensuring comprehensive care for individuals with ASD and their families. Objective: To analyze, through an integrative literature review, the strategies and challenges faced by FHS teams in the care of ASD patients within Primary Health Care (PHC). Methodology: This is an integrative literature review with a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach. The guiding question was: “How does the Family Health Strategy contribute to the care of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in primary care?” Articles published between 2019 and 2024, in Portuguese and English, were selected from the SciELO, BVS, LILACS, and Google Scholar databases using the descriptors: “autism spectrum disorder,” “primary health care,” and “family health strategy,” combined with the boolean operator AND. Exclusion criteria included monographs, theses, and dissertations. The selected studies were analyzed and organized into a table for further discussion. Results and Discussion: The results showed that humanized reception, active listening, and the development of individualized therapeutic projects are common strategies used by FHS teams. However, there are still significant gaps related to the lack of specific professional training, difficulty in intersectoral articulation, and structural limitations. The support provided to families by FHS proved essential to promoting treatment adherence and reducing stigma. Conclusion: The study highlights that, although effective actions exist in PHC care for individuals with ASD, strengthening professional training, service integration, and the implementation of national guidelines is essential. Humanization and inclusion must guide care practices to ensure comprehensive and dignified follow-up.