Pediatric Nursing Autism

Autism remains as one of the greatest mysteries of medicine. It is a complex disorder which is not diagnosed medically but by behavioral observation and screening. Recent studies showed that one out of 110 children worldwide is considered to have some form of autism; this incidence is ten times higher than ten years ago. Autism is a highly variable neurodevelopmental disorder that first appears during infancy or childhood, characteri ed by impaired social interaction and verbal and non!verbal communication, and by restricted, repetitive or stereotyped behavior. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organi e; how this occurs is not well understood. "vert symptoms gradually begin after the age of six months, become established by age two or three years, and tend to continue through adulthood, although often in more muted form. A person with autism may seem socially aw#ward, ma#es very little eye contact, has aversion for physical contacts such as cuddling, incapable of empathi ing with others, finds loud noises, some smell and lights unpleasant and $uite shoc#ing, and may often repeat words or phrases they hear ! an event called echolalia. %oreover, they tend to be predictable and obsessive. &he severity of the symptoms depends on the autism of the child. Autistic people had long been ostraci ed for being 'different( or 'weird(, ma#ing them feel re)ected for their 'abnormality( by the general public. In dealing with them, the nurse*s first strategy is to familiari e the combination of symptoms associated with autism of the patient. +very person impacted by autism is different and may benefit from different treatments and interventions. ,now, however, that there is no cure for autism. &herapies and behavioral interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement. &he ideal treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that meet the specific needs of individual children. %ost health care professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better. -uring treatment session, the nurse*s main goal is to provide safety. As earlier mentioned, people with autism has his or her own personality traits. .roviding care for them is challenging. &he nurse must ensure that unnecessary things that may harm the child are removed from the area. It is also important to let the other staff members #now of the child*s special need. "nce you are able to identify the needs of the patient, appropriate behavioral strategies are implemented. "ne example is the applied behavioral analysis /A0A1. &his program uses a one!on!one teaching approach that reinforces the practice of various s#ills. &he goal is to get the child close to normal developmental functioning.

-octors may also prescribe medications for treatment of specific autism!related symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or obsessive!compulsive disorder. Antipsychotic medications are used to treat severe behavioral problems. 2ei ures can be treated with one or more anticonvulsant drugs. %edication used to treat people with attention deficit disorder can be used effectively to help decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity. +nsure good eating habits by providing small fre$uent meals. 3hanging the diet or adding vitamin supplements may improve digestion and eliminate food intolerances or allergies, which may contribute to behavioral problems in autistic patients. It is very important to inform the child*s family of his special needs. &he family is where the child draws the highest level of support and care from. 4amily counseling for the parents and siblings of children with autism can helps them cope with the particular challenges of living with a child with autism. It is important that each member identify their role in helping an autistic child. 5ith early intervention and appropriate treatment, some autistic patients can function productively and attain some degree of independence. %ost patients re$uire lifelong assistance.