autism nursing assignment help

autism nursing assignment help

Autism Nursing: Best Practices for Care and Support

1. Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication and behavior. The severity of the symptoms and the areas of impairment can differ in each person. Some individuals with autism display outstanding abilities in visual skills, music, math, and art. Autism appears to have its roots in very early brain development. However, the most evident signs of autism and symptoms tend to emerge between 2 and 3 years of age. Autism is known as a “spectrum” disorder because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience. Autism was first described in the 1940s, but very little was known about it until recently. The exact cause of autism is not known, but it is believed that the cause is likely to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors – they have not been found to be caused by bad parenting or vaccines. Given the complexity of ASD, it is not surprising that the most established, evidence-based intervention packages for autism are multidisciplinary. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize. Autism has an onset during early childhood, but symptoms may not manifest until ages 2 to 3, a period of neuroplasticity when the synapses in the brain are ‘sculpted’ to their final state. Such pathogenesis and onset may be the main reasons why parents are hardwired to recognize when their children do not reach language and social milestones and seek professional help.

2. The Role of Nurses in Autism Care

Also, many individuals with autism have difficulty in understanding and using verbal and non-verbal language such as facial expression, gesture, and tone of voice. This can make communication with others very difficult for them and also cause high levels of anxiety and frustration. It is recommended in the nursing literature that environmental adaptations should be made when caring for someone with autism, and such interventions-based practices can be found in NICE clinical guidelines. Also, good practice can include using visual symbols and signs to support the person’s understanding of what is going to happen, involving the person in the creation of a “hospital passport” so that the person’s individual needs are focused upon, and developing a consistent and trustworthy relationship with the person.

In practice, what this means is that an area of land, or a room, or a person can develop a special importance to that person with autism, and they will find it extremely hard, if not impossible, to accept any change to that familiar object or place. For nurses, these differences create a number of challenges in their practice since it is obviously crucial for nurses to be able to move and support individuals within a clinical environment or during direct care.

As autism is a spectrum condition, it affects different people in different ways. As a generalization, autism impacts on the way that people relate to and communicate with the world around them. Imagine for a moment that you have been taken away from everything that you know and placed in a country where you do not speak the language and do not understand the customs and way of life. You cannot make yourself understood, and no one can understand you. The impact of the enormous stress that this would cause would affect everyone in different ways. In many respects, this is similar to what many individuals with autism have to deal with every day of their lives, as the condition makes the world a very confusing and frightening place for them.

Nurses play a critical role in the clinical care, support, and education of individuals with autism and their families. To be effective, all nurses need to have an understanding of autism and knowledge of the wide range of skills and interventions that currently exist to help people with autism lead fulfilling lives. This can include providing specialist autism nursing care, such as working in a secure unit with people who have complex needs. But for the majority of nurses who care for individuals with autism, it is essential that nurses have a good understanding of the condition itself and develop their skills to be able to meet the needs of the individual.

3. Effective Communication Strategies

This strategy places the individual with autism at the heart of the communication process. Nurses are encouraged to understand the unique communication style and preferences of the individual, and to adjust their own communication style to suit the needs of the individual. For instance, some individuals may find more ease in written communication rather than speaking. I think this approach is very much in line with the core values of person-centered care, where the individual’s right to make choices and preferences are respected. Last but not least, establishing rapport and building a trusting relationship forms the cornerstone of effective communication. The guide highlights the importance for nurses to be patient and to avoid making assumptions or judgments during interaction. Finding out shared areas of interest and engaging in activities that the individual enjoys can help to strengthen the rapport. I believe adopting these strategies will not only benefit the communication between nurses and individuals with autism, but also help to create a more supportive and inclusive care environment. Overall, I find that the guide provides helpful and practical advice that is easy to implement in real-life nursing practice. Every strategy suggested is accompanied with a clear explanation of the rationale behind it and step-by-step guidance on how to execute the strategy. This makes the content very accessible and the guide itself a very user-friendly resource for nurses.

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder may face challenges in communication, such as understanding the nuances of verbal and non-verbal language. It is important for nurses to recognize these difficulties and adopt various strategies to promote effective communication. Firstly, nurses are recommended to use clear, simple and concise language during interaction with individuals with autism. They should also allow more time for the individual to process information and respond. Visual support can be introduced, such as using flash cards, social stories and visual schedules, to facilitate better understanding. In cases where the individual is non-verbal or is more comfortable with alternative communication methods, such as sign language or use of technology, nurses should be ready to adapt to these preferences. Developing a consistent and structured routine is another effective strategy discussed in the guide. By establishing a familiar sequence of activities, it helps to reduce anxiety and uncertainty for individuals with autism. When giving instructions, nurses are advised to break down the task into smaller steps. This approach not only makes the task more manageable for the individual, but also helps to minimize the risk of misunderstanding or frustration. I find the section on developing a person-centered communication approach most inspiring and eye-opening.

4. Promoting Independence and Quality of Life

Individuals with autism may require additional support in mastering the skills needed to promote independence, such as dressing, bathing, and preparing meals. However, it is important to recognize that independence looks different for every individual based on their unique abilities and needs. As such, nurses should strive to provide person-centered care, focusing on the individual’s preferences and abilities. Encouraging small, manageable goals can help to build confidence and self-esteem, ultimately leading to greater independence. For example, an individual may feel overwhelmed by the task of making a meal from scratch but may be successful in following a simple recipe with support. Similarly, a teenager who is resistant to following a hygiene routine may be encouraged by breaking the task into smaller steps and including their favorite music as a relaxing factor. By seeking ways to adapt tasks and gradually increase the level of independence where possible, nurses can make a significant impact in facilitating autonomy and self-efficacy for individuals with autism. It is also important that the living environment supports the promotion of independent skills. This might involve making some adjustments, such as labeling drawers and cupboards with pictures or words to support a person in finding items easily and promoting the practice of keeping objects in the same place. On the other hand, creating a dedicated space for relaxation or incorporating sensory-friendly décor is another way in which the home can be adapted to enhance quality of life. Such adjustments are likely to have a positive impact for both the independence of the individual and the practical aspects of care. By providing a care plan that focuses on individual’s unique skills and abilities, and creating an environment which supports independence and choice, nurses can ensure that they make a positive difference in the lives of people with autism.

5. Collaborating with Families and Multidisciplinary Teams

In recognizing the need for collaboration, nursing professionals are provided with further opportunities for training and development in this area. For example, there are specific courses and modules available that explore family-professional collaboration in health and social care. This ensures that their knowledge and skills in working with families and other professionals in the multidisciplinary team are current and evidence-based. Thanks to this focus on development, it has been noted that levels of family satisfaction with health care providers have been shown to increase. By improving relationships between families and professionals, targeted and individualized treatment programs can be better devised and implemented, bringing about positive outcomes for the individual with autism.

The approach has been endorsed for autistic patients because it is known that families provide long-term and enduring support to the individual. It has also been noted that because of the complex health and social care systems, achieving successful collaboration between families and health professionals can be challenging. As such, experts have proposed a set of strategies. These include: spending time to understand each other’s perspectives, identifying and acknowledging each other’s expertise, and communicating and working together in a spirit of partnership.

This approach has been taken further with the introduction of “family-centered care,” which is promoted by the Department of Health and other key organizations, such as the National Autistic Society. Family-centered care is a partnership approach to health care decision-making between the family and health care provider. It is a way of collaborating with families, and respecting their experience and strengths. This is a more holistic approach that includes therapies, services and community resources, as well as support for the family.

There is a strong focus on ensuring high standards of care for patients and their families. This can be achieved through the establishment of collaborative relationships with families and professionals. The importance of respecting and valuing the expertise and insights of families is emphasized. They should be seen as partners in care, given that they have extensive knowledge about their child and experience of their behavior and reactions.