Introduction
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face various challenges and difficulties during visits to primary healthcare centers. These may include negative emotions, communication problems, time management, and social interactions. However, parents can play a crucial role in preparing their children for such visits and reducing their stress and anxiety. In this blog post, we will summarize the main findings and recommendations of a recent research paper that explored the parent’s role in preparing a child with ASD before a visit to a primary healthcare center.
What is ASD and how does it affect children?
ASD is a developmental disorder that affects how a person communicates, interacts, and behaves with others. It is a spectrum condition, which means that it can vary widely in its severity and symptoms. Some common characteristics of ASD include:
- Difficulty in understanding and expressing emotions, thoughts, and intentions
- Difficulty in socializing and forming relationships with peers and others
- Preference for routines and resistance to change
- Sensitivity or aversion to certain sensory stimuli, such as sounds, lights, or textures
- Repetitive or restricted behaviors, interests, or activities
Children with ASD may have different levels of intellectual and functional abilities, as well as different communication styles. Some may use verbal language, while others may rely on non-verbal cues, gestures, or alternative methods, such as pictures or symbols. Therefore, it is important to understand each child’s unique profile and needs when providing them with medical care.
What are the challenges and difficulties faced by children with ASD during primary healthcare visits?
Primary healthcare centers are often unfamiliar and unpredictable environments for children with ASD. They may encounter various sensory triggers, such as loud noises, bright lights, or unpleasant smells, that can cause them to feel overwhelmed or distressed. They may also have difficulty in understanding and following the instructions of the healthcare providers, or in coping with the pain or discomfort of the procedures. Moreover, they may have trouble in adjusting to the changes in their routine, or in waiting for their turn or for the results.
These challenges and difficulties can lead to behavioral problems, such as tantrums, aggression, or self-injury, that can interfere with the quality and safety of the medical care. They can also cause emotional distress and anxiety for both the children and their parents, as well as frustration and confusion for the healthcare providers.
How can parents prepare their children with ASD before a primary healthcare visit?
According to the research paper, parents can use various strategies to prepare their children with ASD before a primary healthcare visit. These include:
- Visual aids: Parents can use pictures, videos, or books to show their children what to expect during the visit, such as the location, the staff, the equipment, and the procedures. They can also create a visual schedule or a checklist to help their children follow the sequence of events and tasks.
- Role plays: Parents can act out or practice the visit with their children, using toys, dolls, or props, to familiarize them with the situation and the actions. They can also teach their children how to cope with the pain or discomfort, such as by using relaxation techniques, distraction methods, or rewards.
- Simple language: Parents can explain the purpose and the process of the visit to their children in simple and concrete terms, using words and phrases that they can understand. They can also answer their questions and address their concerns honestly and reassuringly.
- Familiarization: Parents can visit the primary healthcare center with their children before the actual appointment, to let them see and explore the environment and meet the staff. They can also bring along some familiar or comforting items, such as toys, blankets, or music, to help their children feel more at ease.
How can parents collaborate with healthcare professionals during primary healthcare visits?
The research paper also highlighted the importance of collaboration between parents and healthcare professionals during primary healthcare visits. Parents can share relevant information about their children with ASD, such as their communication preferences, sensory needs, triggers, and coping strategies, with the healthcare providers before or during the visit. They can also ask for accommodations or modifications, such as a quiet room, a shorter waiting time, or a different procedure, to suit their children’s needs. Furthermore, they can provide feedback and suggestions to the healthcare providers on how to improve their services and interactions with children with ASD.
Conclusion
Children with ASD may face various challenges and difficulties during visits to primary healthcare centers, which can affect their well-being and medical care. However, parents can play a crucial role in preparing their children for such visits and reducing their stress and anxiety. By using various strategies, such as visual aids, role plays, simple language, and familiarization, parents can help their children understand and cope with the situation and the procedures. By collaborating with healthcare professionals, parents can also ensure that their children receive the best possible care and attention. By doing so, parents can make the primary healthcare visits a more positive and successful experience for their children with ASD.
Faq
What are the benefits of primary healthcare for children with ASD?
Primary healthcare can provide many benefits for children with ASD and their families, such as:
- Early detection and intervention of ASD and other health issues, which can improve the outcomes and quality of life of children with ASD.
- Continuity and coordination of care, which can ensure that children with ASD receive consistent and comprehensive services that meet their needs and preferences.
- Accessibility and affordability of care, which can reduce the barriers and costs of accessing health services for children with ASD and their families.
- Family and community involvement, which can empower and support children with ASD and their families to participate in the decision-making and management of their health.
What are the benefits of preparing a child with ASD before a primary healthcare visit?
Preparing a child with ASD before a primary healthcare visit can have many benefits, such as:
- Reducing the stress and anxiety of the child and the parent during the visit, which can improve their well-being and experience.
- Increasing the cooperation and compliance of the child during the procedures, which can improve the quality and safety of the medical care.
- Enhancing the understanding and communication of the child about the purpose and process of the visit, which can improve their learning and development.
- Building the confidence and skills of the child to cope with new and challenging situations, which can improve their adaptation and independence.
What are the challenges of preparing a child with ASD before a primary healthcare visit?
Preparing a child with ASD before a primary healthcare visit can also pose some challenges, such as:
- Finding the appropriate and effective strategies to prepare the child, which may depend on the child’s age, developmental level, and individual characteristics.
- Finding the time and resources to prepare the child, which may be limited or constrained by the parent’s work, family, or other commitments.
- Finding the information and support to prepare the child, which may be scarce or inaccessible for the parent, especially in rural or low-resource settings.
- Dealing with the uncertainty and variability of the visit, which may differ from the child’s expectations or preparations.
How can parents involve their child with ASD in the preparation process?
Parents can involve their child with ASD in the preparation process by:
- Asking for their child’s input and feedback on the strategies and methods they use to prepare them, such as the visual aids, the role plays, or the simple language.
- Encouraging their child to ask questions and express their concerns or preferences about the visit, such as the location, the staff, the equipment, or the procedures.
- Empowering their child to make choices and decisions about the visit, such as the time, the clothing, or the reward.
- Praising their child for their participation and contribution to the preparation process, and acknowledging their efforts and achievements.
How can parents evaluate the effectiveness of the preparation process?
Parents can evaluate the effectiveness of the preparation process by:
- Observing and recording the behavior, emotion, and communication of their child before, during, and after the visit, and comparing them with their baseline or previous levels.
- Asking and listening to their child’s feedback and opinion about the preparation process and the visit, and identifying their strengths and weaknesses.
- Asking and listening to the healthcare provider’s feedback and opinion about the preparation process and the visit, and identifying their satisfaction and recommendations.
- Reviewing and reflecting on the preparation process and the visit, and identifying the successes and challenges, the facilitators and barriers, and the lessons and implications.
How can parents prepare themselves before a primary healthcare visit with their child with ASD?
Parents can prepare themselves before a primary healthcare visit with their child with ASD by:
- Gathering relevant information about their child’s ASD profile, such as their communication preferences, sensory needs, triggers, and coping strategies, and sharing it with the healthcare provider before or during the visit.
- Planning ahead for the visit, such as making an appointment, checking the insurance coverage, packing the necessary items, and arranging the transportation and childcare for other siblings.
- Anticipating the possible scenarios and outcomes of the visit, such as the procedures, the results, the referrals, and the follow-ups, and preparing the appropriate responses and actions.
- Seeking support from their spouse, family, friends, or other parents of children with ASD, who can provide emotional, practical, or financial assistance.
How can parents support their child with ASD during a primary healthcare visit?
Parents can support their child with ASD during a primary healthcare visit by:
- Staying calm and positive, and reassuring their child that they are there to help and protect them.
- Being attentive and responsive to their child’s needs, emotions, and behaviors, and intervening when necessary to prevent or resolve any issues.
- Being respectful and cooperative with the healthcare provider, and communicating clearly and effectively about their child’s condition, concerns, and expectations.
- Being flexible and adaptable, and adjusting to the situation and the feedback from their child and the healthcare provider.
How can parents improve the preparation process for future visits?
Parents can improve the preparation process for future visits by:
- Updating and revising the strategies and methods they use to prepare their child, based on their evaluation and feedback, and tailoring them to their child’s current and changing needs and preferences.
- Seeking and applying new information and knowledge about ASD and its impact on their child and their family, and incorporating them into their preparation process.
- Seeking and accessing new resources and services that can help them prepare their child, such as online tools, books, videos, or support groups.
- Seeking and establishing new relationships and partnerships with other parents of children with ASD, healthcare professionals, or ASD organizations, who can provide them with advice, guidance, or assistance.
Source:
https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/819646/gineikaite_norbutas.pdf?sequence=2