Susan Hamre – Autism in the Hospital: Supportive Strategies for Sensory, Communication and Behavioral Challenges

Outline

• Autism in Medical Settings: Challenges and Supportive Strategies Autism in Medical Settings: Challenges and Supportive Strategies
  • Sensory Integration Challenges Sensory Integration Challenges
    • Stimulation dysregulation (hypo/hyper)Stimulation dysregulation (hypo/hyper)
    • Seeking/avoiding/bothSeeking/avoiding/both
    • Processing functionsProcessing functions
    • May not process nor perceive painMay not process nor perceive pain
    • Common triggers within the hospital/ER environmentCommon triggers within the hospital/ER environment
    • Your hospital/ER as a ‘sensory minefield’Your hospital/ER as a ‘sensory minefield’
  • Sensory Strategies Sensory Strategies
    • Patient passport with sensory triggers listedPatient passport with sensory triggers listed
    • Quickly create ASD friendly environmentQuickly create ASD friendly environment
    • Allow sensory needs to occur to prevent a meltdownAllow sensory needs to occur to prevent a meltdown
    • How to avoid most common sensory triggersHow to avoid most common sensory triggers
    • Hospital equipment to help support sensory needsHospital equipment to help support sensory needs
  • Social / Communication Challenges Social / Communication Challenges
    • Social interaction holds the ‘key’… or notSocial interaction holds the ‘key’… or not
    • Literal translation of spoken languageLiteral translation of spoken language
    • When they are non-verbal or unable to read body languageWhen they are non-verbal or unable to read body language
    • Delayed auditory processingDelayed auditory processing
    • Impact of anxiety on communicationImpact of anxiety on communication
    • Non-compliance and verbally offensiveNon-compliance and verbally offensive
  • Social/Communication Strategies Social/Communication Strategies
    • Communication cards, checklists and Apps as visual supportsCommunication cards, checklists and Apps as visual supports
    • Social stories to break down hospital proceduresSocial stories to break down hospital procedures
    • Their interests or repetitive behaviors to generate your ‘connection’Their interests or repetitive behaviors to generate your ‘connection’
    • Make allowances for family to be nearbyMake allowances for family to be nearby
  • Behavior Challenges Behavior Challenges
    • Noting functions of behaviorNoting functions of behavior
    • May bolt/escape/elopeMay bolt/escape/elope
    • Aggression occurs as anxiety increasesAggression occurs as anxiety increases
    • Might resist restraintMight resist restraint
    • Anxiety may increase when transport is needed intolerant of transitions in generalAnxiety may increase when transport is needed intolerant of transitions in general
    • Likely to be resisting lack of known/familiar routineLikely to be resisting lack of known/familiar routine
    • Attempt to pull out lines, pull off bandages, etc.Attempt to pull out lines, pull off bandages, etc.
    • Refuse medicationRefuse medication
  • Behavioral Management Strategies Behavioral Management Strategies
    • Is it a meltdown or tantrum?Is it a meltdown or tantrum?
    • Know the child’s triggersKnow the child’s triggers
    • Plan ahead to avoid triggersPlan ahead to avoid triggers
    • Specific calming techniquesSpecific calming techniques
    • What to do when a meltdown occursWhat to do when a meltdown occurs
    • Navigating ER triage, routine hospital visits, labs and testsNavigating ER triage, routine hospital visits, labs and tests
    • Visual schedules for what is going to be happeningVisual schedules for what is going to be happening
    • Strategies for loud noises and being touchedStrategies for loud noises and being touched
    • Visual timetables and timers for transitions/ changesVisual timetables and timers for transitions/ changes
    • Motivation and reward systems that workMotivation and reward systems that work
    • What you need to know about non-sensory triggersWhat you need to know about non-sensory triggers
    • ‘Stimming’ as a calming technique‘Stimming’ as a calming technique