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Visual symbols in healthcare settings for children with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder
1South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
Insights
Visual symbols can help children with learning disabilities (LD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) feel less anxious in healthcare settings. Using these symbols improves their understanding and cooperation during medical visits.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Developmental Psychology
- Health Communication
Background:
- Children with learning disabilities (LD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience anxiety in healthcare settings due to routine disruptions.
- These children often process visual information more effectively than spoken language.
- Symbol use is common in educational and home environments for these children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate the use of visual symbols in healthcare settings for children with LD and ASD.
- To enhance communication and reduce anxiety for pediatric patients with developmental disorders.
Main Methods:
- Compiled a list of common medical procedures with parent support groups.
- Developed 150 visual symbols in consultation with parents, educators, and a software company.
- Consulted 50 health professionals across 12 clinical areas regarding symbol implementation.
Main Results:
- Health professionals reported difficulties with cooperation from children with LD and ASD.
- Professionals strongly endorsed the use of visual symbols in healthcare.
- Suggested using symbols in clinics and providing them pre-appointment to improve understanding.
Conclusions:
- Visual symbols are a promising tool for improving healthcare experiences for children with LD and ASD.
- Implementation strategies include in-clinic use and pre-appointment distribution of symbols.
- Symbols can enhance patient understanding, cooperation, and potentially reduce healthcare-related anxiety.
Abstract:
Children with learning disabilities (LD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) get anxious while attending healthcare settings as it is not part of their usual routine. They often understand visual symbols better than speech. Many of these children are accustomed to using symbols at school and at home to support their verbal understanding. A list of commonly conducted physical examinations, medical investigations and treatment procedures was compiled by the author with the help of parent support groups for ASD and Down's syndrome. In total, 150 visual symbols were developed for use in healthcare settings in consultation with parents, special needs teachers and a software company. Overall, 50 health professionals from 12 clinical areas in the hospital and community were consulted for their views on introducing symbols in healthcare settings. All had experienced difficulties in gaining cooperation from this group of children and strongly endorsed the use of symbols. They suggested using symbols in clinics and sending visual symbols home before the appointments to improve the children's understanding and cooperation.
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