Evidence-Based Health Research: Autism Spectrum Disorder in Nursing

This report delves into Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), highlighting its significance within the nursing profession. It begins by providing background information on ASD, including prevalence rates and its impact on individuals' lives, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support. The report stresses the importance of nursing professionals in addressing the challenges faced by individuals with ASD, particularly due to communication difficulties and social interaction issues. It also includes a personal reflection from a student nurse, detailing a case study involving an 11-year-old girl with ASD, describing the student's experience in assessing and providing care. The report underscores the need for increased awareness and specialized care within the nursing field, offering insights into effective interventions and management strategies. The report covers different aspects of the topic and the role of nurses, which makes it a valuable resource for healthcare students and professionals.

Running head: EVIDENCE BASED HEALTH RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
EVIDENCE BASED HEALTH RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1EVIDENCE BASED HEALTH RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
Assessment 2a
Background
As per the data provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in which the survey was
conducted on disability, aging and carers determined that the number of autistic person in the
2015 was 164,000. Therefore the rate of prevalence becomes 0.7% which was estimated to grow
in future years ( Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2017). This clinical problem affects
thousands of people due to the communication difficulties, educational and employment related
issues, learning and intellectual difficulties and activities of daily life. Further, in this clinical
problem, people affected lives with the impairment for lifelong and therefore requires lifelong
routine support to withstand different social situations ( Lyall, Pauls, Spiegelman, Ascherio &
Santangelo, 2012). Further, maximum of the individuals affected with autism are children
having 70% cognitive impairment, and 40% of those are severely affected with autism affecting
their overall development. Therefore, for this assessment, autism spectrum disorder has been
selected as the clinical problem.
Importance to Nurisng
As the autism spectrum disorder is associated with persistent deficit in different social
communication and interaction due to its restrictive and repetitive pattern of behavior, need of
healthcare professionals support becomes necessary ( Roberts et al., 2013). The support is
required on a holistic manner so that affected people can conduct their activities of daily life
without any struggle. This is an importance case for nursing professionals because of the lack of
awareness among the people regarding autism (Christon & Myers, 2015). People are not aware
of its diverse nature, its ability to affect their daily life, the plan of diagnosis and the
intervention. Due to this, the severity of this disorder increases and affect the quality of life (Raz
et al., 2015). Further, there are very less nursing professionals present who can provide a holistic
care to such individuals (Roberts et al., 2013). Hence, Discussion about autism spectrum
disorder as a clinical concern for nursing professionals is an important topic that needs
discussion.
Personal reflection
Reporting While working in my healthcare facility, in the final year of my studies
I was assigned to care for a 11 year old girl affected with autism
spectrum disorder. She was admitted to the emergency department
because of a head injury she had while playing around her house.
Responding She was un-responsive at the time of admission however after 6 hours
of treatment when she became conscious, she was unable to speak
fluently and had slurred speech as well as was unable to understand the
physician and my instructions while treatment.
Relating I was not aware of her condition and hence, asked her parents about
her daughter’s behavior, social interaction and speech. I was relating
the symptoms of the patent with her parent’s answers so that I can find
out the reason of her specific behavior.
Reasoning After relating her symptoms to her patient’s description, I was assured
that the girl is suffering from autism spectrum disorder as her speech,
her unsocial behavior indicated towards the presence of autism. I asked
for consent from her parents to start medical treatment for her autism
disorder.
Reconstructing While reconstruction I can determine that upon identification of
autism, I provide the girl with some necessary interventions and
medication so that her cognitive impairment can be improved and she
can continue her medical interventions for a longer time.
Assessment 2b
Aim

2EVIDENCE BASED HEALTH RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
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3EVIDENCE BASED HEALTH RESEARCH AND PRACTICE