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Review
. 2010 Jul;15(3):244-54.
doi: 10.1111/j.1744-6155.2010.00244.x.

Caring for the child with an autism spectrum disorder in the acute care setting

Nina Scarpinato  1 , Jana Bradley, Kay Kurbjun, Xenia Bateman, Brenda Holtzer, Beth Ely
Affiliations
Review

Caring for the child with an autism spectrum disorder in the acute care setting

Nina Scarpinato et al. J Spec Pediatr Nurs. 2010 Jul.

Abstract

Purpose: This article explores the challenges that patients with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) face when hospitalized and provides assessment strategies and plan-of-care suggestions for nursing caregivers.

Conclusions: With a high prevalence rate of medical comorbidities among this population, such as gastrointestinal complaints and seizures, nurses are likely to care for hospitalized patients with an ASD.

Practice implications: For a child with an ASD, hospitalization can be an overwhelming sensory and cognitive experience. Nurses equipped with an understanding of the unique needs of a child with ASD can tailor the plan of care to reduce patient and family anxiety, optimize treatment goals, and reduce the stress of hospitalization.

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