Nurses’ care to children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Objective: To understand nurses’ representation about the care for children/adolescents with autism spectrum disorder at Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Care Centers. Methods: This is qualitative, exploratory, descriptive research, with interviews with five nurses from Child Psychosocial Care Centers. Content analysis carried out in the light of the Social Representations Theory. Results: Nurses’ care at Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Care Centers was represented by two thematic categories, the first being “Nurses’ care for children/adolescents with autism spectrum disorder”, with subcategories addressing: care with the therapeutic environment; guidelines for caregivers/relatives; case identification; and therapeutic project planning. The second category was represented as “Difficulties faced by nurses in caring for children/adolescents with autism spectrum disorder”, and subcategories were represented by: slowness with which care results are achieved; challenges of articulation with family members and the educational system for continuity of care; and professional unpreparedness for care. Conclusion: Nurses’ care for children/adolescents with autism spectrum disorder requires knowledge for identification and assessments, individual care, in groups, for family/caregivers, and for this there are difficulties that can be overcome through the inclusion of theme in training and permanent education in health processes.