Determining the sensory needs of children with Hunter and Sanfilippo syndromes who need hospital treatment

Nurses hold children to administer treatment and to undertake assessment. It is important that clinical holding is within a framework which includes effective preparation to reduce the need for undue force. This article explores the opinion of parents when interviewed about their child’s senses (any of the faculties by which stimuli from outside or inside the body are received and felt, e.g. hearing, sight, smell, touch, taste, and equilibrium) with the aim of making their child’s stay with the NIHR/CRF more successful and thereby reduce any behaviours of concern which make it difficult for nurses to effectively treat the child or young person. It is hoped that our findings could be used for all children who have autistic traits when they are receiving treatment in hospital. Five semi structured interviews took place, which were analysed using thematic analysis. The overarching themes were person centred planning, confidence and interview amendments.