The Center for Autism Services and Transition (CAST) offers medical care for adults on the autism spectrum. Located in Ohio State University’s Hilliard, Grandview, Lewis Center, and New Albany Primary Care Clinics, CAST’s goal is to provide high quality medical care for autistic adults. We seek to understand and accommodate each individual’s needs to overcome the barriers many autistic individuals face in medical settings.
CAST provides care for patients aged 18-26 who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and transitioning from pediatric to adult care. Once established as a patient, CAST providers will provide long term primary care. This specialized primary care program of The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is unique in central Ohio and nationwide. Patients can access physicians with the experience to provide comprehensive care for adults with autism and to treat their related, often complex health care needs.
CAST was created in 2014 with funding from Bill and Marci Ingram and the White Castle Foundation.
Primary care for adults with autism
CAST is committed to providing medical care that accommodates the needs of autistic patients. New patients will go through an intake process that allows CAST staff to get to know the patient and understand their individual needs and the support they may need to succeed in medical visits. If you have any specific accommodation requests for visits, please let us know at the time of scheduling so we can do our best to plan for them.
CAST is currently accepting patients ages 18 to 26 who need primary care and have a diagnosis of autism.
New patients coming to the CAST clinic can expect a 60-minute appointment for their first visit. These longer appointment times allow for:
- reviewing past and current healthcare needs
- discussing office procedures that may be new experiences for the patient
- addressing related health concerns of autistic patients. Follow-up visits will be scheduled depending on the patients’ individual health and wellness needs and goals.
CAST patients are encouraged to contact the clinic to discuss accommodation needs prior to appointments. If you are not sure what to ask for and would like ideas, consider visiting autismandhealth.org and completing an Autism Healthcare Accommodations Tool.
All CAST patients have access to a free and secure online portal (MyChart), a great way to communicate with the clinic, request appointments, renew prescriptions, and see your test results.
Available services
- Primary care with physicians who are board certified in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine and are trained to care for patients of all ages. CAST physicians have experience working with autistic adults and provide outreach, training and education across many health domains.
- A Psychiatrist with extensive experience caring for autistic adults
- Experienced medical assistants who support CAST physicians and patients throughout their visits.
- A dedicated nurse to assist with medical questions during and after office visits. Patients and their support team may contact the CAST nurse regarding medical needs or support between visits.
- A dedicated social worker to help patients achieve and maintain goals related to their health as well as participation in work and community life. Patients may see the social worker during regularly scheduled appointments with providers or communicate with them in-between visits.
- Clinical pharmacy consultation for medication questions and medication monitoring.
- A dietitian available for consultation upon request.
- In-office lab and procedural care, which can be challenging for some individuals with autism. CAST is committed to working with patients to complete common clinic procedures, such as blood draws, EKGs and blood pressure.
- CAST is committed to education and support that involves patients in shared decision-making and goal-setting, supporting self-advocacy and mastering the skills needed to maintain lifelong health