Health Care and the Autism Spectrum

Introduction. 1. How This Book Can Help. 2. Consultation and Health Assessment. 3. Going to Hospital. 4. Treatment. 5. Nursing Care Issues. 6. Social Support. Afterword. Appendix 1: 'Fast Facts' about the autism spectrum. Appendix 2: Key reading and resources.

'Anyone with a relative on the Autistic Spectrum will be familiar with the perils of health and social care consultations. I experienced complete ''meltdown'' of my seven-year-old autistic spectrum son in an X-ray department, primarily because the radiographer didn't know any better... The problem with autism is that it tends to be an invisible disability. It covers a spectrum (Autistic Spectrum Disorders, or ASD) from the mute, withdrawn child with a severe learning disability to one with high functioning autism (or Asperger's Syndrome), who might have an above-average IQ but limitations in terms of communication, social interaction and imagination... Having autism is likened to finding oneself stranded in a foreign country with no knowledge of the language, traditions or customs of the place, no map or directions, and no guide books to follow... Alison Morton-Cooper has written this book to raise awareness of autism among health and social care professionals. She explains how ASD has the potential to affect an individual's care, and how consultations can be made more ''autism-sensitive''... Her aim is to emphasise that those on the autism spectrum require special understanding if they are to make best use of health and social care provision. The book covers GP consultations and hospital care, consent to treatment, medication, nursing care issues, social support and bereavement. There is a useful Fast Facts section and a bibliography... Key strategies for effective consultations include providing a safe environment, paying close attention to sensory problems, maintaining a sense of structure and a appreciation of family situation and history... I found this an excellent, readable book and recommend it to all health and social care workers. It will be a helpful tool for training and should ideally be placed in all GP surgeries and hospital departments. Parents and carers will find it useful as a checklist before healthcare consultations or hospital admission.' -Children Now ' Despite being also directed at parents and carers, the main focus of this book is on raising awareness of those working in health care settings of the needs of individuals with autism ... Strategies are suggested to help alleviate the effects of potential stresses caused by a busy health care setting, such as preparing the Patient, clear explanations and maintaining a new environment. Other professional factors are considered, for instance the legal and medical issues that arise when gaining consent from patients with autism. There is an emphasis on the building up of protocols and guidelines.'' - Community Practitioner 'This reader should be of equal interest to health care and social care staff alike. It deals with the, often-difficult, issues around medical interventions with those who have autistic spectrum disorders ... this, clearly-authoritative, guide is well-overdue.'- Care and Health