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Parental Perception of the Perioperative Experience for Children With Autism

Sarah Benich, Shreya Thakur, Jane R Schubart

    AORN Journal
    |June 29, 2018
    PubMed

    Insights

    Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) require specific comfort and communication strategies during surgery. Understanding their unique needs, like sensory triggers and comfort objects, improves the perioperative experience for these children.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Surgery
    • Autism Spectrum Disorders
    • Qualitative Research

    Background:

    • Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) experience unique challenges in the perioperative setting.
    • The perioperative environment presents sensory and communication hurdles for children with ASDs.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To qualitatively evaluate the perioperative surgical experience of children with ASDs from the parents' perspective.
    • To identify key factors influencing the comfort and reassurance of children with ASDs during surgical preparation and recovery.

    Main Methods:

    • Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with twelve parents/guardians of children with ASDs who underwent surgery.
    • Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative software to identify recurring themes.

    Main Results:

    • Frequent themes included behavioral triggers (responses to sounds, anxiety, pain), the use of comfort objects, communication difficulties, and the role of important people.
    • Parents highlighted specific needs for reassurance and comfort tailored to children with ASDs.

    Conclusions:

    • Children with ASDs have distinct needs for comfort and communication in the perioperative setting.
    • A patient-centered framework and tool were developed to guide interactions with children with ASDs in this environment.

    Keywords:
    ASDautism spectrum disorderchildren with autismotorhinolaryngologypediatric surgery

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