Peri-radiographic guidelines for children with autism spectrum disorder: a nationwide survey in Sweden.
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of guidelines and routines used nationwide when children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are taken care of and examined in a radiology department during a peri-radiographic process.



A nationwide survey was compiled and distributed to 94 radiology departments throughout Sweden, i.e. those performing more than 100 000 radiographic examinations annually. The survey was designed as a web questionnaire with seven questions on possible guidelines and/or routines for the departments when preparing and taking care of children with ASD in conjunction with a radiographic procedure. The data were scrutinized, using descriptive statistics.



In total, 86 radiology departments responded to the survey (response rate 92%). Of those departments, 40 did not examine children with ASD. None of the departments included in the study had existing guidelines underpinning the routines when preparing and performing radiographic examinations for children diagnosed with ASD. A few departments (n = 8) would set aside more time for the procedure if it were known in advance that the child to be examined had been diagnosed with ASD. Also, some departments (n = 7) had radiographers who were more experienced in the care of children who would be appointed to perform examinations for children with ASD.



It is suggested that guidelines should be developed in order to increase interaction in a supportive way and decrease anxiety during the peri-radiographic process with children with ASD.
CHILD research group, Department of Natural Science and Biomedicine, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.|CHILD research group, Department of Nursing, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.
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Björkman
CHILD research group, Department of Nursing, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.
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Gimbler Berglund
CHILD research group, Department of Nursing, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.
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Enskär
CHILD research group, Department of Natural Science and Biomedicine, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.|Sweden and Division of Medical Diagnostics, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Sweden.
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Faresjö
CHILD research group, Department of Nursing, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.
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Huus
D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000592:standards; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011859:Radiography / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D013548:Sweden
autism spectrum disorder (ASD); children; guidelines; preparation; radiographic procedure