*2.1. Setting*

The Argentinian health care system is characterized by considerable fragmentation, including a public system, work-related social insurances, and private health insurances, which causes great heterogeneity in assessments and interventions of ASD. According to the latest national census data, 36% of the population depends on publicly-funded medical insurance [20], showing the essential role of public hospitals in service provision in the country. Hence, in Argentina, there is increasing demand for providers of health services for persons with ASD in the public system, but only a few exist. One of these service providers is "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan" Hospital, the largest national public pediatric referral center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Division of Interdisciplinary Clinics provides consultations for the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Our division receives approximately 5000 visits per year. Out of those visits, approximately 120 visits per year are related to ASD diagnosis and a similar number to ASD follow-up visits, this reflects the average over the last three years.
