Adapting Pediatric Emergency Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Phenomenological Approach.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric healthcare
• Autism Spectrum Disorder research
• Healthcare professional training

Background:

• Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience unique challenges in pediatric emergency services due to sensory, cognitive, and behavioral differences.
• Existing emergency department environments often do not accommodate the specific needs of children with ASD.
• This gap necessitates exploring adaptations to improve care delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate healthcare professionals' and parents' perceptions on adapting pediatric emergency departments for children with ASD.
• To identify the perceived need for specific adaptations, such as sensory-adapted rooms.
• To understand barriers and facilitators for implementing these changes.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative phenomenological study utilizing semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals and parents of children with ASD.
• Data collection occurred from October to December 2024, continuing until data saturation.
• Analysis involved intentional coding and co-occurrence analysis using Atlas.ti software.

Main Results:

• Eighteen participants (10 professionals, 8 parents) shared insights.
• Professionals identified themes around training, hospital environment, and emotional aspects of care.
• Parents highlighted themes concerning professional training, hospital environment, emotional experiences, and ASD-specific needs, including sensory regulation.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric emergency services require significant adaptations to effectively serve children with ASD.
• Both professionals and parents emphasize the critical need for sensory-adapted spaces.
• Key barriers include insufficient professional training, inadequate facilities, and high stress levels; solutions involve targeted training, improved infrastructure, and flexible protocols.