| Evidence suggests that early diagnosis is crucial for children with developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents often first seek guidance from their pediatrician, suggesting that these physicians should have a strong knowledge base about ASD and its early signs. However, research suggests that physicians are not adequately aware of ASD signs or how to screen for them.The current study aimedto identify factors influencingmedical residents’ decisions to refer children for ASD assessments. Although the type of residency was not found to be an influencing factor, knowledge and attitudes of ASD were found to influence the medical resident’s likelihood of referral. The study provided evidential support for a relationship between knowledge and attitudes about ASD and the likelihood that medical residents would decide to refer children for ASD assessments, as well as highlighted the importance of autism education in medical residencies.Key Words: referral likelihood,medical residents, knowledge, attitudes, autism, ASD |