Integrated Health Care For People With Autism Spectrum Disorder

People with autism spectrum disorder may have unique development challenges, but they face a range of health issues like all people, and many of these may be compounded by an ASD. This book provides the tools and information so the health care professional can think differently about caring for this patient and see through his or her eyes. The presentations of 28 contributors share the importance of early, continuous, coordinated, and individualized care that is integrated into the existing health care system. Examples of models and policies that have improved the access, experience, and outcomes for patients with ASD are shared. In addition, the importance of continuous quality improvement through data collection and monitoring of outcomes is emphasized. This information is essential for addressing the capacity crisis now in providing routine, specialized, and emergency care for individuals with ASD. Some of the major topics discussed include: the epidemiology of autism spectrum disorder; facilitating the role of parents in management and advocacy; the impact of the sensory environment on care; medications for the treatment of psychiatric comorbidities; frameworks to guide practice and research with patients; building a home for acute care needs; assisting parents in adapting and making decisions regarding treatment options; integrating genetic testing into health care; educating nurses with faculty and curricular issues; emergency medicine and improving service; physical therapy to promote health, function, and community participation; using big data to direct quality improvement; and monitoring patient outcomes in research and policy outcomes. This significant volume brings together a wealth of expertise with information and strategies across the lifespan for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

This book provides an understanding of the challenges that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face in receiving medical care and helps equip medical professionals to overcome these challenges to provide high quality, compassionate medical care to this population. The book is divided into two sections. The first provides a broad perspective, providing background about the health care needs of patients with ASD and potential barriers to care that they may experience, as well as an overview of general principles in the delivery of care for patients with ASD. In the second section, the text focuses on specific medical issues and specialties, taking a systems-based approach to cover every major area of medical care. Each of these chapters discusses the problems in that area of medicine that are commonly encountered in the ASD population and the best approaches to managing these issues. The Massachusetts General Hospital Guide to Medical Care in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder is the ultimate resource for all physicians, allied health care professionals, medical students, residents, primary care providers, and specialists who treat patients with ASD.

ìThis book helps move healthcare forward by recognizing the range of issues across the lifespan that people with ASD may face. . . [and] brings together a wealth of expertise with information and strategies across the lifespan.î From the Foreword by Catherine Rice, PhD National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities Center for Disease Control and Prevention Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a growing health problem and nearly all nurses are likely to care for individuals with ASD. Designed as a textbook and a reference, this volume prepares nurses to recognize the unique challenges of providing evidence-based health care that meets the special needs of ASD patients across the lifespan and in multiple practice settings. Chapters include setting-specific case studies followed by consistently formatted information about key clinical issues, clinical assessment, and best practice nursing plans of care. The book is organized on a social model of disability with a focus on the environmental, cultural, and economic barriers encountered by people with ASD. It highlights the significant role played by nurses in the treatment of ASD patients and helps nurses integrate the specialized information about ASD into their clinical practice. Each section of the book reflects a different life stage and is organized to include learning objectives and developmental needs at the beginning of a section, with key points, a guide to clinical problem solving, and thought-provoking review questions at the end. Key Features: Provides evidence-based information for nurses about the special treatment needs of individuals with ASD Explains how functional deficits of people with ASD complicate health care delivery and how nurses can use this knowledge to provide quality care Addresses clinical issues across the lifespan and in multiple settings through case studies that illustrate best practice nursing care for a variety of problems Ideal for continuing education programs, post-masterís certificate programs, and school nurse certification programs

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This textbook provides a state of the art of the knowledge on the prevalence, risk and etiological factors, clinical features, assessment procedures and tools, diagnostic criteria, treatment, and prognosis of the psychiatric disorders encountered in people with intellectual disability (ID) and low-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ID and ASD represent two meta-syndromic groups of several different conditions, each with particular cognitive and communication features. People with ID/ASD display an increased prevalence of a variety of psychiatric disorders, including psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety and stress-related disorders, somatoform disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well behavioral syndromes, personality disorders, and disorders due to psychoactive substance use. This book will enable readers to understand the specificities of psychiatric disorders in the context of ID/ASD. It explains clearly how diagnostic criteria and assessment procedures for psychiatric disorders that were created for the general population have to be modified for use with ID/ASD. Above all, it will enable clinicians to overcome difficulties in diagnosis and to deliver more effective care that meets the particular needs of patients with ID/ASD.

This unique resource is designed to be a practical, user-friendly guide for pediatricians, primary care providers, and all healthcare providers who work with children with autism spectrum disorder. Diagnosing and Caring for the Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder offers state-of-the art instruction to clinicians on how to recognize, diagnose and assist children with autism spectrum disorders, from early in life to transition to adulthood. This book will also delve into how to support pediatric patients by working with families, and discuss how to best interact with and support these families. The book opens with a comprehensive introduction of ASD and obstacles to diagnosis and common myths. Section Two is devoted to the early recognition of atypical development and reviews the steps in diagnosing autism, including the evaluation, the diagnostic visit, the developmental exam, and the discussion of findings with parents. Section Three covers treatment and interventions for the autism spectrum and includes a discussion on alternative therapies and how to direct parents toward evidence-based or plausible treatments. Section Four and Five addresses special topics that are relevant to the PCP’s or pediatrician’s long-term relationship with families, including chapters on anxiety, parents, challenging behaviors and common scenarios that occur across childhood for those who have ASD. Later chapters delve more deeply into providing informed, sensitive care for patients with intersecting identities, and discusses how gender identity and cultural perspective and attitudes can impact the pediatric patient with ASD. Engaging, and written in a conversational style, Diagnosing and Caring for the Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder will be an ideal resource for the pediatrician, primary care provider, and all healthcare providers working with children with ASD, providing concrete, step-by-step methods that readers can incorporate into their own practice.

This handbook addresses treatment planning for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) using a medical home perspective. It examines the medical home model, which has been promoted as the standard of care by the American Academy of Pediatrics since 2002, emphasizing collaboration between patients, families, and providers to optimize care. The handbook addresses treatment planning, including the coordination of the care provided by multiple specialists with a clear, shared vision for maximizing each child’s potential. Key areas of coverage include: · Elements of treatment planning, history of the medical home model, documentation, and strategies to facilitate communication. · Goals of treatment from the perspectives of the family, person served, care providers, and fiscal and regulatory bodies. · Role of each specialist, highlighting the most common conditions experienced by children with ASD and other NDD with expectations for assessment and treatment. · Detailed recommendations for making referrals and assisting the child and family in preparing for appointments. The Handbook of Treatment Planning for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities is a must-have resource for researchers, professors, and graduate students as well as clinicians, therapists, and other professionals across such interrelated disciplines as clinical child, school, and developmental psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry, social work, rehabilitation medicine/therapy, pediatrics, and special education.

Addressing the Gaps" delves into the often-overlooked struggles of autistic children and their families in Canada, revealing how systemic inadequacies in healthcare, education, and social services lead to profound and lasting impacts. Despite a myriad of policies and programs, many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are left to navigate a fragmented system that too often falls short. This eBook uncovers the lengthy delays in diagnosis, the patchwork of services that vary drastically from one province to another, and the significant financial burdens placed on families seeking essential therapies and interventions. It highlights the inconsistencies in educational support, where inclusive education policies are poorly implemented and resources for specialized programs are scarce. Through powerful case studies and personal narratives, "Addressing the Gaps" paints a vivid picture of the daily battles faced by autistic children and their families, from social isolation and bullying to the overwhelming stress on parents and caregivers. These stories are complemented by a critical analysis of current government initiatives and the persistent gaps that need urgent attention. Yet, amidst these challenges, the book also shares inspiring success stories of advocacy, innovation, and resilience. It offers a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at policymakers, educators, healthcare providers, and community leaders, providing a roadmap for creating a more equitable and supportive system.