Gaps in the Transition from Pediatric to Adult Health Care for Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Special Health Care Needs: Electronic Medical Record Findings

Tanner Quiggle, a Rural Scholars Fellow in the WVU Department of Pediatrics, worked with Dr. Lesley Cottrell through the Primary Care Training Care Training and Education grant. Their work focused on the transition from pediatricians to adult providers for patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders and related conditions.

This study looked at health care transition outcomes for adolescents and adults aged 16 years and older with ASD who received care within the WVU Medicine health system between 2021 and 2025. Using electronic medical record (EMR) data, it explored the prevalence of pediatric versus adult primary care providers. It also identified factors linked to having an age-appropriate provider and compared the results with past research.

The study also included patient and caregiver transition resources from the West Virginia Family to Family Program within the Center for Excellence in Disabilities (WVU CED). These resources highlight practical and disability inclusive strategies that can be used in medical training and clinical practice. The findings show persistent gaps in the transition to adult care, particularly in rural settings, and support the need for structured, stakeholder informed approaches to prepare both patients and providers for appropriate transitions of care.