The adaptatea program to improve care for children with autism undergoing an electroencephalogram

Section: Práctica Clínica

How to quote

Mayoral-Fernández MI, Mónica Martín-Gómez M, Cazorla-Sánchez Pobre ML, Gallego-Marcuello A, Solís-Muñoz M. Programa ADAPTATEA para mejorar la atención de niños y niñas con autismo en la realización de un electroencefalograma. Metas Enferm jun 2022; 25(5):70-8. Doi: https://doi.org/10.35667/MetasEnf.2022.25.1003081938

Authors

María Isabel Mayoral-Fernández1, Mónica Martín-Gómez2, María Luisa Cazorla-Sánchez Pobre3,Ángeles Gallego-Marcuello4, Montserrat Solís-Muñoz5

Position

1Diplomada en Enfermería. Servicio de Neurofisiología Clínica. Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda. Madrid (España) 2Máster en Gestión y Liderazgo en cuidados enfermeros. Graduada en Psicología. Enfermera. Servicio de Neurofisiología Clínica. Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda. Madrid (España) 3Diplomado en Profesorado de Educación General Básica en Ciencias Humanas. Técnico en Cuidados Auxiliares de Enfermería. Servicio de Neurofisiología Clínica. Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda. Madrid (España) 4Técnico en Cuidados Auxiliares de Enfermería. Servicio de Neurofisiología Clínica. Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda. Madrid (España) 5Doctora por la Universidad Complutense. Unidad de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación en Cuidados de Salud. Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda. Grupo de Investigación en Enfermería y Cuidados de Salud. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana. Madrid (España)

Contact address

María Isabel Mayoral Fernández. Servicio de Neurofisiología Clínica. Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda. C/ Joaquín Rodrigo, 1. 28222

Contact email: isabel.mayoral@salud.madrid.org

Abstract

The socio-communicative difficulties presented by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the healthcare environment barriers can complicate diagnostic tests and healthcare interventions even to the point where these cannot be performed. These can lead to very difficult times for these children and their families, experienced with high anxiety and generating major hostility towards the healthcare environment. At the same time, professionals will feel overwhelmed and powerless when faced with these situations, which require an increase in human resources and time. The Nursing staff plays an essential role in the detection of these difficulties and barriers, presented both by children and their families and by the healthcare staff involved, and they can act as facilitators since the first minute.
The Neurophysiology Unit performs electroencephalograms (EEG) to ASD patients, because epilepsy is a problem often associated with this disorder. The difficulties to perform this test successfully have led to the creation of the ADAPTATEA program, with the overall objective to improve the quality of care and being able to perform the EEG in the best possible conditions, by conducting the healthcare adaptations required. This is based on the use of pictograms and audiovisual materials targeted to explaining the child and his/her family what will be done and transforming the test into something closer and more common to them. Besides, it proposes recommendations for the preparation and performance of the test, and for the best management of the maladaptive behaviours of the child when attending hospital.

Keywords:

Autism spectrum disorder; electroencephalography; healthcare programs; nursing care; health services accessibility

Versión en Español

Título:

Programa ADAPTATEA para mejorar la atención de niños y niñas con autismo en la realización de un electroencefalograma