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

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• Sensory, communication and behavioral challenges that impact successful medical treatment
  Strategies for ER triage, routine hospital visits, surgery and more
  Roadmap for treating a non-verbal, non-responsive individual with autism
  ‘Stimming’ behaviors as a strategy
  Subtle sign of less obvious ASD

  Do you know how to give medical attention to a patient with autism who:

  Can’t answer your questions or identify levels of pain?
  Refuses to have blood drawn, give urine a sample, do dialysis or CT/MRI scan?
  Attempts to pull out lines or pull off bandages?
  Fights you off with piercing screaming and flapping of the arms?
  Can’t tolerate your touch and or make eye contact with you?
  Won’t stop running out of the treatment room?
  Refuses medication?

  Whether the medical appointment is scheduled or it’s a trip to the emergency room the hospital can be a sensory minefield for someone with autism causing them to spiral toward a terrifying meltdown. Sedation and four-point restraint are not practical solutions.

  Your connection to your autism patient will depend upon how quickly you can move into their world. Through case examples, videos and lively class discussion you will walk away with practical strategies for successful medical treatment of an individual with autism, such as:

  Hospital/EMT equipment to help support sensory needs
  Overcoming the most common sensory triggers
  Communication cards, checklists and Apps as visual supports
  Social stories to break down hospital/EMT procedures
  Navigate ER triage, routine hospital visits, labs and tests
  What to do when a meltdown occurs
  Calming techniques
  Utilize strategies to de-stimulate the ‘sensory minefield’ in your medical setting.
  Determine specific calming techniques that meets the need of your patient and increase the success of the medical experience.
  Identify critical questions to ask caregivers which can enhance the success of your treatment.
  Develop your ability to recognize a patient with undeclared and/or less obvious ASD.
  Characterize aspects of ASD that can interfere with a successful medical experience.
  Implement communication cards, social stories and visual supports to communicate with individuals who are non-verbal/under responsive.

  Autism in Medical Settings: Challenges and Supportive Strategies

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

COURSE CONTENT