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Adapting Pediatric Emergency Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Phenomenological Approach
Saray Betancort-Avero1, María-Ángeles Ferrera-Fernández1,2, Héctor González-de la Torre2
1Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil (CHUIMI), Canary Health Service, 35016 Las Palmas, Spain.
Insights
Pediatric emergency departments need adaptations, like sensory rooms, for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Both parents and professionals agree on the need for better training and environments to support these children.
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.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who attend pediatric emergency services face challenges related to their sensory, cognitive, and behavioral characteristics. This study explored the perceptions of healthcare professionals and parents regarding the need to implement adaptations, particularly a sensory-adapted room, for children with ASD in pediatric emergency departments. Methods: A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured interviews (October-December 2024) until data saturation. Participants included healthcare professionals and parents of children diagnosed with ASD. Intentional coding and co-occurrence analysis were performed using Atlas.ti (version 25.0.1). The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (code: 204-458-1). Results: Eighteen informants participated (10 professionals and 8 parents). Professionals' interviews revealed three themes and eight subthemes: Professional Training (approach strategies; training received; perceived needs), Hospital Environment (resource allocation; infrastructure; perceived needs during the emergency visit), and Emotional Aspects (emotional experience related to patient care; professionals' personal perceptions). Parents' interviews yielded four themes and ten subthemes: Professional Training (perceptions of staff training; demonstrated emotional competencies; socioemotional relationships during care), Hospital Environment (infrastructure; perceived needs during emergency visits), Emotional Aspects (families' experiences; emotions during care), and ASD (diagnostic characteristics; children's needs; sensory regulation). Conclusions: Pediatric emergency services should be adapted to better meet the needs of children with ASD. Both healthcare professionals and parents recognize the importance of such adaptations, particularly sensory-adapted spaces. The main barriers identified were a lack of professional training, inadequate hospital environments, and stress affecting both patients and provider. Priority measures include continuous ASD-specific training programs, improvements in sensory infrastructure, and more flexible clinical protocols, advancing toward a more inclusive and comprehensive model of care.
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