Tip 5: Use consistent caregivers
While trying to encourage the use of a routine in the hospital setting, using the same caregivers may also decrease patient anxiety (scarpinato et al., 2010). Limiting the number of clinicians that interact with the patient can present a challenge in the acute care setting because most hospital personnel work three 12-hour shifts per week (stimpfel, Sloane, & Aiken, 2012). Some personnel may also prefer variety in their assignments, but sharing the importance of consistency to children with ASD may increase personnel’s willingness to work repeatedly with this population.
Repeated hospital staff exposure to the child may improve the child’s compliance with the treatment plan as well as decrease the likelihood of aggressive behavior due to the child’s fear of new and different elements. If staffing allows, the designated caregiver should spend more time in the child’s room; this permits the child to develop familiarity with the hospital personnel, as well as allow the caregiver to gain understanding of the child’s special needs (scarpinato et al., 2010).