[Features of nursing of the autistic children].
Due to the behavioral and communication difficulties autistic children need individualized approaches providing them medical help. Aspects of nursing of autistic children were not investigated in our country. Thirty seven mothers of autistic children and 74 mothers of children without developmental disorders (control group) were interviewed orally and filled the questionnaire. The age of children was 3-12 years old. The aim of the research was to analyze peculiarities of behavior, communication and social adaptation of children with autism disorder together with troubles they face in medical services (outpatient and inpatient), and prepare practical recommendations to the pediatric and mental health nurses. It appeared that families with autistic children come across the great difficulties in various areas of the daily life. Autistic children tended to have severe behavioral and emotional difficulties while being examined by the medical staff. Adaptation difficulties in medical services were very prominent, especially at the in-patient departments (unpredictable and impulsive behavior, anxiety, decrease of appetite, sleep disturbances). Possibilities of home visit of the nurses are underestimated and could provide more useful and constructive help to the families. The data showed existing difficulties for the pediatric nurses and medical staff to establish good contact with the autistic children and their parents and lack of knowledge about the children with pervasive developmental disorders and their needs. Practical recommendations are provided.
Lesinskiene
Sigita
S
VU Socialines pediatrijos ir vaiku psichiatrijos klinika, Vytauto 15, 2004 Vilnius. sigitalesinskiene@vrc.vu.lt
Pūras
Dainius
D
Kajokiene
Asta
A
Senina
Julija
J
D000367:Age Factors; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012737:Sex Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires