Play & Book Excerpts
The Complete Guide to Autism & Healthcare
(Future Horizons, Inc.)
© 2017 Anita Lesko
Introduction
The latest findings from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta show 1 in every 68 children are diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. This translates into millions of individuals around the world with autism. This population has at least the same needs for health care as the general population, and even more so. Based on a study by epidemiologist Laura Schieve, Ph.D., of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was concluded that children with autism have a much greater chance for respiratory issues, chronic gastrointestinal issues, allergies, and headaches.1 Add anxiety to these ailments, and morbidity climbs even higher. Also, don’t forget about autistic adults. The main focus has been on autistic children, but there are millions of adults on the autism spectrum, diagnosed or not; they might be your next patient!
Special strategies and accommodations are necessary to provide optimal care for autistic patients. Most importantly, healthcare professionals and all ancillary staff must understand autism. Only through understanding of autistic individuals can effective communication occur. The majority of autism focus is on children. Reality is that these autistic children will grow up to become autistic adults. Furthermore, there are millions of adults on the autism spectrum right now, many who avoid seeking medical attention. The reason they avoid health care is for lack of understanding from the health care providers, sensory overload, unwelcome touching, providers’ assumptions about the patient, misunderstandings, and more. We need to change this.
From my own personal experiences and those of many others on the spectrum, it is quite evident there is a serious need for all healthcare professionals and ancillary staff to learn about autism. They must not only understand autism but also know how to communicate in various ways and optimize an environment to minimize sensory overload. Patients may be anywhere on the autism spectrum. There is no single way to communicate effectively with all individuals. Communication skills are typically among the most challenging to master for those with autism. In order to achieve optimal health care, health care providers must effectively communicate with each patient.
Additionally, communication must commence at the admissions desk and follow the patient through the final discharge. Whether simply coming for a routine doctor’s appointment or getting admitted for major surgery, the autistic patient needs specialized care for optimal awareness, sensory processing, communication challenges, legal and ethical issues, compliance with HIPAA, compliance with the American’s with Disabilities Act, and much more.
The book is designed for use by academic professionals in courses in the healthcare curriculum and as a guide for everyone working in the health care field. Below is a list of those who need to be well versed in autism. By no means is this list complete; there are many more personnel who will benefit from this guide book.
Licensed Professionals:
Education Professionals:
To all who shall read this book, I’d like to make a statement for you to always keep in your mind. I have the pleasure of knowing and calling as my friends Dr. Temple Grandin and her mother, Eustacia Cutler. Temple offered the toast at my all-autistic wedding, and Eustacia called in remotely during the cake-cutting ceremony with a special message. When Temple was a young child, Eustacia coined a phrase that Temple used for the title of a book. She stated that autistic individuals are “different, not less.”
Despite the (at times) bizarre differences between autistic and non-autistic people, we truly do have the same basic needs like love, relationships, acceptance, and happiness, just like everyone else. We experience the world very differently than others, thus the way we respond is just as different.
The latest findings from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta show 1 in every 68 children are diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. This translates into millions of individuals around the world with autism. This population has at least the same needs for health care as the general population, and even more so. Based on a study by epidemiologist Laura Schieve, Ph.D., of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was concluded that children with autism have a much greater chance for respiratory issues, chronic gastrointestinal issues, allergies, and headaches.1 Add anxiety to these ailments, and morbidity climbs even higher. Also, don’t forget about autistic adults. The main focus has been on autistic children, but there are millions of adults on the autism spectrum, diagnosed or not; they might be your next patient!
Special strategies and accommodations are necessary to provide optimal care for autistic patients. Most importantly, healthcare professionals and all ancillary staff must understand autism. Only through understanding of autistic individuals can effective communication occur. The majority of autism focus is on children. Reality is that these autistic children will grow up to become autistic adults. Furthermore, there are millions of adults on the autism spectrum right now, many who avoid seeking medical attention. The reason they avoid health care is for lack of understanding from the health care providers, sensory overload, unwelcome touching, providers’ assumptions about the patient, misunderstandings, and more. We need to change this.
From my own personal experiences and those of many others on the spectrum, it is quite evident there is a serious need for all healthcare professionals and ancillary staff to learn about autism. They must not only understand autism but also know how to communicate in various ways and optimize an environment to minimize sensory overload. Patients may be anywhere on the autism spectrum. There is no single way to communicate effectively with all individuals. Communication skills are typically among the most challenging to master for those with autism. In order to achieve optimal health care, health care providers must effectively communicate with each patient.
Additionally, communication must commence at the admissions desk and follow the patient through the final discharge. Whether simply coming for a routine doctor’s appointment or getting admitted for major surgery, the autistic patient needs specialized care for optimal awareness, sensory processing, communication challenges, legal and ethical issues, compliance with HIPAA, compliance with the American’s with Disabilities Act, and much more.
The book is designed for use by academic professionals in courses in the healthcare curriculum and as a guide for everyone working in the health care field. Below is a list of those who need to be well versed in autism. By no means is this list complete; there are many more personnel who will benefit from this guide book.
Licensed Professionals:
- Speech Language Pathologists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physicians • Dentists
- BCBA and ABA Professionals
- Physical Therapists
- Psychologists
- Clinical Social Workers
- Licensed Professional Counselors
- RN Nurses
- Recreational Therapists
Education Professionals:
- Special Education Teachers
- Special Education Directors
- School Psychologists
- Behavior Specialists
- School Counselors
- Classroom Teachers
- Principals
To all who shall read this book, I’d like to make a statement for you to always keep in your mind. I have the pleasure of knowing and calling as my friends Dr. Temple Grandin and her mother, Eustacia Cutler. Temple offered the toast at my all-autistic wedding, and Eustacia called in remotely during the cake-cutting ceremony with a special message. When Temple was a young child, Eustacia coined a phrase that Temple used for the title of a book. She stated that autistic individuals are “different, not less.”
Despite the (at times) bizarre differences between autistic and non-autistic people, we truly do have the same basic needs like love, relationships, acceptance, and happiness, just like everyone else. We experience the world very differently than others, thus the way we respond is just as different.
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Anita Lesko is an internationally recognized autism advocate and member of Autism Society of America’s Panel of Autistic Advisors. She graduated from Columbia University with a Master of Science degree in nurse anesthesia and now specializes in anesthesia for neurosurgery. She was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of fifty.
Anita is a contributing author for numerous publications including the Autism Asperger’s Digest and The Mighty. She is a blogger for the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. Anita’s other books include a memoir titled Asperger’s Syndrome: When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Lemonade (iUniverse, 2015), which was written immediately after she was diagnosed. She co-authored Been There. Done That. Try This! The Aspie’s Guide to Life on Earth (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2014) with Dr. Tony Attwood and Craig Evans, and her latest book, Temple Grandin: The Stories I Tell My Friends (Future Horizons, 2018), provides a personal perspective and unique look into the mind and life of Dr. Temple Grandin (see our interview with Dr. Grandin HERE). Anita was a speaker at the United Nations Headquarters for World Autism Awareness Day in April 2017. She continues to work full-time as an anesthetist while working tirelessly as an autism advocate. Her ultimate goal is to change the world’s view of autism, enabling all on the autism spectrum to lead happy and productive lives. |
