title: The role of the nurse practitioner in an individualized education plan and coordination of care for the child with Asperger's syndrome.
abstract: The purpose of this article is to describe the role nurse practitioners can play in the diagnosis, early intervention, and coordination of care for children with Asperger's Syndrome and their families. The article outlines strategies for how nurse practitioners in both school and primary care settings can use the Individualized Educational Plan as a mechanism where they may join an interdisciplinary team of professionals and parents. Nurse practitioners can assist parents, children, and school personnel in planning, intervening, and coordinating services for these families and their children, who are at risk for academic failure and social isolation.
authors.affiliation: Center for Leadership in Pediatric and Family Nursing, Florida International University, Miami 33199, USA. lobars@fiu.edu
authors.forename: Sandra L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lobar
authors.forename: Mary Kay
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Fritts
authors.forename: Zulema
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Arbide
authors.forename: Dawn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004519:Education, Special / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008403:Mass Screening; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D012573:School Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D012934:Social Isolation