Authors

Mª Concepción García Marina, Carmen Ruiz Alcalá

Position

Diplomada en Enfermería. Colegio Público de Educación Especial Joan Miró, Madrid.

Contact address

Plaza de La Constitución nº 1, 5º A. 28925 Alcorcón, Madrid.

Contact email: concepcion.garcia1@educa.madrid.org

Abstract

Children with an autistic disorder become difficult when subjected to a pediatric examination due to their mental rigidity and invariance when faced with new situations. The development of programs which aim to help them become familiarized with a regular paediatric examination or basic healthcare intervention situations is essential to favour normal behaviour both during childhood and adulthood. These programs will translate into improved quality of life in an aspect as important as healthcare and self-care. Children, their families and involved healthcare professionals alike will benefit from these programs. The work herein presented constitutes an unusual example of collaboration between a health centre and a special education centre, thus allowing primary care professionals to learn about the particularities of these children and the difficulties they will face when treating and assessing them.

Keywords:

autistic spectrum disorder; special education centre; paediatric examination; desensitization; behavioural normali?zation

Versión en Español

Título:

Programa de atención sanitaria a niños con trastorno de espectro autista