Meeting the Needs of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Families in Hospital Settings: The Perspectives of Certified Child Life Specialists and Nurses

Abstract

Children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have complex psychosocial, behavioral, and physiological profiles and are hospitalized at higher rates than their typically developing peers. This study examined the perspectives of two key members of the health care team, certified child life specialists and nurses, on how to meet the needs of children who have ASD and their families in hospital settings. Participants included seven health care professionals from two urban hospitals in the Northeast. One-on-one interviews were held with four child life specialists and three nurses. Qualitative analyses yielded six themes that addressed ways to serve children who have ASD: partner with the family, individualize care, advocate for more education, understand ASD is a spectrum of differences, think psychosocially not just medically, and emphasize consistency in care. Findings illustrate the complexity of the ASD diagnosis in light of the limited training and education health care professionals receive and are discussed with regard to their implications for the ways that institutional policies, including those within the child life profession, can facilitate the delivery of optimal care for this population in hospital environments.