April is World Autism Month – recognizing a condition experienced by approximately 1 in 50 Canadian children and adolescents and an unknown number of adults. We can all expect to interact with individuals with autism in the course of our professional and personal lives. The following information will help you better understand autism, and to provide an environment and approach for more supportive care and interactions.
What is ASD?
ASD stands for Autism Spectrum Disorders. An ASD is a neurodevelopmental difference that impacts everyone differently, with varying symptoms and levels of symptom intensity. There are three levels of ASD determined by the amount of support that an individual requires.
ASD often impacts:
- sensory processing
- social communication
- emotional and behavioural regulation
- ability to carry out certain tasks
Behaviours that people with autism may demonstrate include:
- decreased communication
- repetitive behaviours
- emotional dysregulation
Challenging and self-injurious behaviors associated with ASD can be a result of:
- anxiety and frustration
- overstimulation
How can we support individuals with ASD?
Health care services, and in particular hospitals, are unfamiliar and overstimulating settings that can increase anxiety. In order to make these settings more welcoming places, to the extent possible:
Do:
- Provide a calm, quiet, dimly lit environment.
- Document and share with the care team preferred communication methods, likes and dislikes, triggers for challenging behaviors, and helpful coping strategies.
- Limit the number of people in the room.
- Permit the use of the individual’s own bed linens and clothing.
- Permit the individual to have access to a personal comfort item.
- Provide noise-cancelling headphones.
- Communicate with the individual before coming close or making physical contact.
- Assign a consistent care team to increase familiarity and comfort.
Avoid or limit:
- Many people in the space with the individual.
- Invading the individual’s space or surroundings.
- Bright lights, noises (e.g. cleaning tools, beeps, pages), odours (perfumes, disinfectants).
- Unfamiliar textures (e.g. hospital clothing).
- Wearing a white lab coat when entering the room.
- Indefinite waiting periods.
- Assessments that require physical contact (e.g. taking vitals).
- Use of physical restraints.
Communication with the individual’s care team to ensure a collaborative and informed approach is essential. If the individual does not have a multidisciplinary care team, consider involving practitioners with experience and expertise working with individuals with ASD, such as Occupational Therapists.
Where can I find more information or supports for clients, patients, and families?
The following organizations provide information and resources:
• Autism Society of PEI
• Autism Speaks Canada
• Autism Canada