Multidisciplinary Team
Learn about professionals who may be part of support for an autistic person. The need for each field depends on individual characteristics.
About the multidisciplinary team
There is no hierarchy of importance among professionals. Each child has unique needs, and the team should be defined through individualized assessment. Ideally, professionals communicate with one another and align goals and strategies.
When several professionals are involved, communication among them can support continuity and reduce conflicting guidance, provided there is consent, privacy and clarity about each professional’s role.
Pediatrician
Goal
Monitor the child’s overall development, provide routine care, identify warning signs and make referrals when needed.
Follow-up
Periodic consultations from birth. Often the first professional parents consult about development.
When to seek
Routine follow-up for all children and first contact when developmental delay is suspected.
Pediatric Neurologist
Goal
Assess and treat neurological conditions in childhood, including investigation of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
Follow-up
Consultations with detailed history, neurological examination and additional tests when indicated.
When to seek
When there are developmental concerns, suspected autism, epilepsy or other neurological conditions.
Child Psychiatrist
Goal
Diagnose and treat mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions in childhood and adolescence and prescribe medication when indicated.
Follow-up
Comprehensive clinical assessment and follow-up, often in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.
When to seek
When autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, ODD or another condition may require psychiatric assessment or medication.
Psychologist
Goal
Assess and support psychological, emotional, cognitive and behavioral aspects within professional scope.
Follow-up
Frequency, goals and approach depend on assessment and need. Work may include the autistic person, family and relevant contexts.
When to seek
When psychological assessment or support, emotional distress, behavioral concerns or family guidance are needed.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Goal
Assess and support communication, language, speech, voice and feeding-related functions such as chewing and swallowing.
Follow-up
Therapeutic sessions focused on communication and related functions. May implement augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
When to seek
When there are speech delays, communication difficulties, oral-motor feeding issues or AAC needs.
Occupational Therapist
Goal
Assess and support participation, autonomy and performance in daily occupations such as self-care, play, school, leisure and other meaningful activities.
Follow-up
May involve activity analysis, environment, motor skills, sensory factors, assistive technology and adaptations according to functional goals.
When to seek
When there are barriers to participation, autonomy, occupational performance, environmental access or daily activities.
Physical Therapist
Goal
Support gross motor development, balance, coordination, muscle strength and posture.
Follow-up
Sessions with exercises and motor activities adapted to the child’s needs.
When to seek
When there are motor delays, balance difficulties, postural changes or gait concerns.
Psychomotor Therapist
Goal
Work with the relationship between body, movement, cognition and affect within psychomotor development.
Follow-up
Play-based activities integrating movement, emotion and cognition.
When to seek
When there are psychomotor, body-schema or tonic-emotional regulation difficulties.
Music Therapist
Goal
Use music experiences toward therapeutic goals according to assessment and professional training.
Follow-up
May use instruments, singing, creation, improvisation and listening according to goals and preferences.
When to seek
When individualized goals may be addressed through music therapy and the person is interested.
Dietitian
Goal
Assess nutritional status and develop dietary plans adapted to individual needs and food refusal or selectivity.
Follow-up
Nutritional assessment, food guidance and support for selective eating.
When to seek
When there is food selectivity, poor weight gain, nutritional deficiencies or need for dietary adaptation.
Neuropsychologist
Goal
Conduct detailed neuropsychological assessment of functions such as attention, memory, language and executive functions.
Follow-up
Standardized test batteries and reports describing cognitive profile and recommendations.
When to seek
When an in-depth cognitive assessment is needed for differential diagnosis or intervention planning.
Educational Psychopedagogue
Goal
Work with learning processes according to training and setting, without replacing clinical assessment or regulated professional roles.
Follow-up
May develop learning strategies and educational guidance within the professional’s training.
When to seek
When there are learning difficulties and family or school seeks complementary educational support.
Communication among professionals can support continuity of care and alignment of goals when different areas are involved. Team composition and integration needs should reflect each person’s characteristics, priorities and context.
Important notice: This content is exclusively educational and informational. Team composition should be guided by individualized professional assessment.
Editorial review: August 18, 2026
Linha de cuidado para pessoas com TEA
Discussão sobre organização do cuidado e atuação articulada da rede e da equipe multiprofissional.
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