Improving Communication Between Health Care Providers, Families, and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Linked Program

Purpose To provide easy-to-use tools and skills to decrease stress in the perioperative period for families and their children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Design Evidence-based practice project. Methods After literature review, a perioperative assessment and management program was developed to guide and individualize the care of pediatric patients with ASD. The program was piloted on a convenience sample of 31 pediatric patients diagnosed with ASD. Findings Most patients were back to their baseline behavior according to their families or caregivers within 120 minutes of the procedure (n = 29, 93.5%), with two needing more than 24 hours (6.5%). Conclusions The Linked Program has enabled staff to be effective in meeting the perioperative needs of families and their children with ASD. Families have expressed great appreciation that they are able to share their knowledge of what their children need.