Kids with ASD Are More than 4 Times as Likely as Neurotypical Children to End up at the Emergency Department
A retrospective review of National Research Corporation (NRC) survey questionnaires and corresponding electronic medical records (EMRs) for patients has found that caregivers of patients with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) younger than 18 years old were less satisfied with emergency department (ED) care compared to caregivers of those the same age without NDDs. This finding is significant since children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are four times more likely than neurotypical children to visit the ED. Once there, they are at increased risk for sedation and/or restraints. Due to the unpredictable nature of the ED (i.e., high sensory load, uncertain waiting times, and a series of transitions), patients with NDDs can become particularly stressed during visits. This review noted that wait times were identified as a significant determinant of patient and caregiver satisfaction. Every additional hour of wait time before provider assessment was associated with decreased odds of overall satisfaction. To make visits better for this vulnerable population and their caregivers, the authors suggest that EDs reduce visual and auditory stimuli, include caregivers as much as possible, educate their staff on NDDs, and improve communication with the patient and caregiver.
