Treating a patient with autism requires patience, understanding, and compassion. While caring for a child with autism is demanding, you have to exercise extra attention in order to gain the trust and cooperation of pediatric and adult patients with autism, which is also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

What is autism?

According to Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to helping patients across the spectrum, autism “refers to to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.” The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that autism affects 1 in every 59 children in the United States.

There are many subtypes of the disorder on the autism spectrum, including Asperger’s syndrome, Rett syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise stated (PDD-NOS), and childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD). Indicators for autism typically appear around the ages of 2 or 3, however, some delays may appear earlier. There are even some cases reported as early as 18 months.

Autism can be influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. But, each person with autism has a different set of strengths and challenges, depending where they are on the spectrum. Some patients with autism may require a significant amount of support throughout their lives, while others would only need a small amount of support and can live independently.

Sensory and medical issues that can be associated with autism may include:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders
• Seizures
• Sleep disorders
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Attention issues

Treatment for autism mainly consists of behavioral treatments and interventions, which may include Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), Occupational Therapy (OT), speech therapy, among others. While there is no one-size-fits-all way of treatment, a plan would be tailored to a specific patient’s needs. Medications can be used to treat children and adults with autism, but medications focus on the related symptoms of the disorder and not the disorder itself.

As a nurse, what can you do?

The Autism Society established April as Autism Awareness Month, which is a nationwide effort to promote autism awareness and inclusion. The Autism Society’s mission is to provide each person on the spectrum with a high-quality of life and the same opportunities as those without autism.

There are plenty of things that you can do in your realm of care to provide treatment for autism and promote awareness. As with every other condition, there are a lot of misconceptions and myths about autism. So, it’s important for you and other health professionals to promote as much awareness as you can.

For Autism Awareness Month, you can check out any online events or activities that you and your practice can participate in. You can also see what’s being done in your local community, which may include fundraisers or other special events. Show your support by wearing the Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon, which is one of the most recognized symbols of autism worldwide. You can even donate to organizations like the Autism Society, or Autism Speaks, to help families, pediatric patients, and adult patients struggling with autism.

You can also take the following steps and strategies when caring for a patient with autism.

Talk with the patient’s parents

When dealing with a patient with autism, it’s always best to speak to the child’s parents first. This way, you can understand how they would react to you. Autism affects each child differently, so this might be the quickest and most effective way to plan for how you should approach the patient. By speaking to the parent first, you may also establish a sense of trust with the patient.

Limit the amount of healthcare workers caring for the patient

Whoever cared for the patient the first day should continue the care from then on. The same team providing care to the patient will give them structure and some sort of routine. Being introduced to new people may stress them out emotionally, so take extra caution with who exactly is providing the care.

Include the family in your care

Parents know their child better than you, and they know the best approach in getting their child’s attention and cooperation. If you involve them in your care, not only will they learn new approaches from you, you can also learn new things from them.

Use positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement really does work, and it can mean a lot to a child with autism and maybe help them cooperate with you better. Using certain phrases or giving them stickers when they are behaving well will only promote better behavior.

Be gentle and consistent

Children with autism usually need consistency and to be on the same routine. If you are inconsistent with your actions or behaviors, it may affect your relationship with the patient and cause stress.

Have any other tips that we didn’t share? Comment below, and share some ways that you believe will help promote autism awareness.

References:

1. https://www.nursebuff.com/nursing-care-for-autism/
2. http://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/national-autism-awareness-month/
3. https://www.autismspeaks.org/