Caring for Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Keys for Success by D. Doherty, et al.

In this video, Ms. Kristen Coffey, Mr. Dennis Doherty, and Dr. Laura Weissman outline strategies for preparation, good communication, and accommodation for treating a patient with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the healthcare setting. They also review the characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder so that providers may be best prepared to create a positive experience for patients and families.

Initial publication: October 13, 2020.


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[JillianLatorreTS]

I am autistic and I want to be an RN, starting my school career soon to become one!

[avalasialove]

Just one thing I’d like to clarify. The proper term to describe the crying and thrashing is “meltdown” not “tantruming.” Other than that, this video has some pretty solid tips. BTW I’m actually autistic.

[bandit]

Where was this stuff when i was a kid and even now as a adult. I refuse all health care now because of to many issues with it and abuse from it. Not like I can communicate well to them anyways especially when they dont care to listen. Glad this place has a protocol. It needs to be widened thru the health places everywhere.

[has]

A tantrum is done on purpose for someone to "get their way", a melt down is a scary, very embarrassing loss of control. They happen so fast that in the middle of them I might think "why is this happening?" or "don't hit your head!" as my body is already violently attacking itself. If a melt down upsets or scares you, please understand that for us it is far more scary and upsetting, even if it's happened many times before. Educated me knows that punching my own skull is the worst thing I could do (I value my brain!), but while it is happening it feels like "thinking me" and "animal me" aren't even able to communicate any more. It feels like I have to wait for the wild animal to loose steam so that I can take control again. Sometimes I know what is happening throughout the meltdown, sometimes I come out of a melt down and don't know what happened, or why and have to wait for someone to explain. Sometimes I cry when I learn about the bad things I have just done.

Please avoid staring at an autistic person. The speakers in this video make me very uncomfortable with the wide-eyed, and overly direct staring. In addition to their suggestions about language. Videos where the speaker is looking to the side of the camera feel much friendlier/more relaxing.

Adding to the "how to phrase things" section, I feel like "I need to take your temperature now" would also work, as it makes it clear that this is part of their job/routine. I also appreciate it when doctors talk through what they are doing if I can't see (pap smears for example), count down to the "bad part", remind me to take deep breaths, and/or ask if I'm ready so I can nod or say "yes".

[nleem]

Great video. I'm going to share it with my sister who's a paramedic, works at a doctor's office and is about to start nursing school. And, with my mom who works for child protective services... I think it would be wise for the whole medical community to understand this a lot better than most do.

Update: my mom and sister were both already throughly educated on this and even added some good tips.

My sister said we have to advocate for ourselves. If we want to know step by step what's happening ask because some people don't like that, so the only way they know what you or your child prefers is tell them.

My mom mentioned how the paper on the exam table can trigger kids (even NT kids since that's where they get shots or cold medical tools touched all over them). She suggest holding your kids or seeing if you can bring a small blanket. She remembered this from her own child memories of trama at the doc office.

She also reminds all parents, even NT parents that if you're kid hasn't been somewhere, it's unknown and can be scary, so she liked these books for all kids, so it can be explained in an age appropriate way.

[anastasiasobornova]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[nleem]

Great advice for any kid, even nerotypical kids would benefit from a lot of this advice. And knowing what's going to happen at the doctors office ahead of time. And also from using the style of communication mentioned explaining what will happen next.

[bonitachica]

God he acts just like my son . Yes this is challenging .

[siii]

Tnk you for sharing such a useful information about autism

[ThatsWhat-She.]

It really helps, to not begin the conversation by marginalizing them. Their is No real way to shove such a nuanced & individual experience into a box. Each symptom needs to be treated as an indivual symptom.

[raincity]

Some individuals with autism want to actually talk to you so get to know your patient if you can I’m only asking for proper respect here not to be babied

[meganchristian]

For me - it's anxiety - Like for example - I have a real blood injection injury phobia - that being said one time I did have a very successful blood draw where a Medical student played N'SYNC Christmas Music + I had two shots too ( & I don't mean the kind from a glass - Lol)

[sexydreadhead]

My son hates the doctor he have meltdowns everytime

[haannguyen]

2:53 avoiding eye contact and overly friendly?! I was both when I was young (more so overly friendly) Btw I’m autistic

[hannahnorthrup]

I'm glad I don't do that kind of stuff I'm very well behaved