Headquartered in The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Hilliard, the Center for Autism Services and Transition (CAST) offers clinical services for adult and transition-age-youth patients with autism.

For adult patients diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and their families, CAST is the answer. It is the only place in central Ohio — and one of only a few places in the nation — where 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’s commitment to autism research and care at The Ohio State University.

The mission of the Department of Internal Medicine is to improve the lives of people through innovation in research, education and patient care. Our vision is that in working as a team, we will shape the future of medicine by creating, disseminating and applying new knowledge to meet the needs of each individual.
Learn more about CAST's funding and other statistics in this informational flyer (PDF)

Available Services
Personalized Approach
Patient Resources
Professional Resources

Available Services

Primary care with physicians who are board certified in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine and are trained to care for adults of all ages. CAST physicians have experience working with youth and adults with autism and provide outreach, training and education across many health domains.
Experienced medical assistants who support CAST physicians and patients in obtaining height, weight and vitals during exams. Medical assistants also help patients during lab draws and procedural care.
A dedicated nurse to assist with medical questions during and after office visits. Patients and their support team may contact the CAST nurse regarding medication refills, follow-up recommendations from appointments, and referral guidance when in crisis.
A dedicated social worker to help patients achieve and maintain goals related to their health as well as participation in work and community life. New patients will complete a specialized intake process to familiarize them with the clinic, assess their needs and customize their clinical experience. Patients may see the social worker during regularly scheduled appointments with providers.
Clinical pharmacy consultation for medication questions and medication monitoring.
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.

Personalized Approach

CAST is committed to a model of care that provides longer appointment times to accommodate the needs of patients with autism.

New patients are scheduled for intake appointments that allow CAST staff to meet the patient and determine their levels of need and support. Meanwhile, the new patient gets to meet our staff and see the clinic prior to their first medical appointment.

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. These longer appointment times are necessary to allow for:

effective communication of healthcare needs with the patient and patient-support teams
processing the steps of exam procedures, such as blood pressure tests, EKGs and shots, which may be new experiences for the patient
addressing related conditions of patients with autism, such as trouble sleeping, gastrointestinal issues and struggles maintaining a healthy weight

Established patients are offered 20-minute follow-up appointments.

CAST patients are encouraged to contact the clinic to discuss accommodation needs prior to appointments.

All CAST patients have access to MyChart, a great way to communicate with the clinic.

Patient Resources

For Patients: What to Expect

What to expect: Blood pressure

Here's what a patient with autism can expect during a blood pressure testing procedure at a CAST facility.

What to expect: EKG

Here's what a patient with autism can expect during an electrocardiogram (EKG) procedure at a CAST facility.

What to expect: Blood draw

Here's what a patient with autism can expect during a basic blood-draw procedure at a CAST facility.

What to expect: Injection or vaccination

The Ohio State University Center for Autism Services and Transition (CAST) explains what a patient with autism can expect during an injection or immunization at a CAST facility.

Guardianship Resources

Guardianship

Guardianship in Ohio

FAQ for Guardians

Transition Resources

GotTransition.org

Professional Resources

For Medical Professionals

How to test blood pressure in patient with autism | OSU CAST

The Ohio State University Center for Autism Services and Transition (CAST) provides tips for medical professionals on how to measure blood pressure when providing care for patients with autism at CAST.

How to perform EKG in patient with autism | OSU CAST

The Ohio State University Center for Autism Services and Transition (CAST) provides tips for medical professionals on how to perform an electrocardiogram (EKG) when providing care for patients with autism at CAST.

How to draw blood from patient with autism | OSU CAST

The Ohio State University Center for Autism Services and Transition (CAST) provides tips for medical professionals on how to draw blood when providing care for patients with autism at CAST.

How to give an injection or immunization to a patient with autism | OSU CAST

The Ohio State University Center for Autism Services and Transition (CAST) provides tips for medical professionals on how to give an injection or immunization when providing care for patients with autism.

Our Unique Center Provides Healthy Transition for Adults with Autism:

Since 1987, the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has skyrocketed more than 1,100 percent. According to recent statistics, the U.S. spends $11.5 billion dollars a year on everything from educational programs to medical therapies for children with ASD. But what happens when these children become adults? “Unfortunately, they often get lost,” said Dr. Christopher Hanks of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “For children, the care is fairly structured around them, but as they move into the adult-based care settings, these patients can really struggle and all too often are forgotten,” said Hanks.

Ohio State University Opens New Transition Program

(August 12, 2014) - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is opening the Center for Autism Services and Transition (CAST), a new program to help young adults with autism gain independence on their transition to adulthood. According to OSU, CAST is one of only a few clinics in the country to provide care coordination and primary and specialty care services for adults with ASD.

“We want to provide a place where they can come for medical care knowing that we have an entire staff who truly understands their needs,” said Dr. Christopher Hanks, a physician at OSU Wexner Medical Center who provides primary care for adults with ASD and the medical director of CAST.

Publications

Harris L., Gilmore D., Darragh A., Hanks C., Coury D., Moffatt-Bruce S., Garvin J., Hand B. It was surprisingly equivalent to the appointment I had in person”: Advantages and disadvantages of synchronous telehealth for delivering primary care for autistic adults. Autism, accepted for publication on Oct 28, 2021.

Alain, G., Gilmore D., Krantz M., Hanks C., Coury D., Moffatt-Bruce S., Garvin J., Hand B. Expenditures and Healthcare Utilization of Patients Receiving Care at a Specialized Primary Care Clinic Designed with and for Autistic Adults. J Gen Int Med, accepted for publication on Sept 9, 2021.

Hart L., Saha H., Lawrence S., Friedman S., Irwin P., Hanks C. Implementation and evolution of a primary care-based program for adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum. J Autism Dev Disord 2021 Jul 2;1-10, online ahead of print

Hand B., Gilmore D., Harris L., Darragh A., Hanks C., Coury D., Moffatt-Bruce S., Garvin J. “They looked at me as a person, not just a diagnosis”: A qualitative study of patient and caregiver satisfaction with a specialized primary care clinic for autistic adults. Accepted for publication in Autism in Adulthood on 23 Apr 2021

Hand B., Gilmore D., Coury D., Darragh A., Moffatt-Bruce S., Hanks C., Garvin J. Effects of a specialized primary care facility on preventative service use among autistic adults: A retrospective study. J Gen Int Med 2021 Jun;36(6):1682-1688.

Hand B., Coury D., White S., Darragh A., Moffatt-Bruice S., Harris L., Longo A., Garvin J. Specialized primary care medical home: A positive impact on continuity of care among autistic adults. Autism 2021 Jan:25(1):258-265.

Hand B., Coury D., Darragh A., White S., Moffatt-Bruce S., Harris L., Longo A., Gilmore D., Garvin J. Patient and caregiver experiences at a specialized primary care center for autistic adulgs. J Comp Eff Res 2020 Nov;9(16):1131-1140.

Barnette D., Hanks C., Li W., Porter K. Patient-level medication regimen complexity in an adolescent and adult population with autism spectrum disorders. Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy 2018. Published online 3 Dec 2018.

Nathawad R., Hanks C. Optimizing the Office Visit for Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care 2017;47: 182-189.

Bose-Brill S., Xing J., Barnette D., Hanks C. Pharmacogenomic testing: aiding in the management of psychotropic therapy for adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine 2017; 10: 247-252.

Saqr Y., Braun E., Porter K., Barnette D., Hanks C. Addressing Medical Needs of Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders in a Primary Care Setting. Autism: International Journal of Research and Practice. 2018 Jan; 22(1):51-61.

Bates K., Nourie C.E., Hanks C., and Friedland, A. Legal Options, Challenges and Insights in Supporting Young Adults with Disabilities. SGIM Forum 2013; 36(4): 6, 13.

Book chapter

Care of Adults with Chronic Childhood Conditions: A Practical Guide; Editors: Pilapil, M., DeLaet, D.E., Kuo, A.A., Peacock, C., Sharma, N. (Eds.); Addresses the unique health care needs of adults with chronic childhood illnesses (2017)

Our Providers

Primary Care for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Ohio State offers specialized primary care services for teens and adults who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and other complex disabilities.