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Assessing Child Life Specialists' Management of Challenging Behaviors in Autistic Pediatric Patients

Kaitlyn Schenk1, Amy A Weimer1, Katherine Rice Warnell2

  • 1School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, 78666, USA.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|July 8, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLSs) report low confidence in managing challenging behaviors of autistic children during hospitalizations. Specialized training is crucial for improving their competency and comfort levels in providing quality care to autistic pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Healthcare
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Child Life Services

Background:

  • Autistic children face higher hospitalization rates compared to neurotypical peers.
  • Healthcare provider preparedness for autistic children's unique needs is critical.
  • Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLSs) are vital for pediatric patient support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess CCLSs' perceived competency and comfort in managing challenging behaviors of autistic pediatric patients.
  • To identify factors influencing CCLS preparedness for autistic children's hospitalizations.
  • To inform strategies for enhancing healthcare quality for autistic children.

Main Methods:

  • A survey was administered to 131 CCLSs.
  • Participants reported on their experiences and confidence levels in managing challenging behaviors (e.g., aggression, self-injury) in autistic children.
  • Correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between autism-specific training and perceived competency/comfort.

Main Results:

  • All surveyed CCLSs had experience with autistic children exhibiting challenging behaviors.
  • A minority of CCLSs reported high perceived competency and high comfort in managing these behaviors.
  • Autism-specific training was positively correlated with increased perceived competency and comfort.

Conclusions:

  • Current training may not adequately prepare CCLSs to manage challenging behaviors in autistic pediatric patients.
  • There is a need for enhanced, autism-specific training for CCLSs.
  • Improving CCLS preparedness is essential for ensuring high-quality hospital care for autistic children.

Keywords:
AutismChild Life SpecialistsHealthcareHospitalizationPediatrics

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