Journal article
Sensory Stimuli as Obstacles to Emergency Care for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Advanced emergency nursing journal, v 36(2), pp 145-163
01 Apr 2014
PMID: 24785668
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Visits to the emergency department (ED) are stressful for any patient and pose special challenges and potential barriers to care for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In addition, people ( both children and adults) with ASD differ in their perception of, or responses to, environmental stimuli. Some people with ASD present with sensory defensiveness that is environmentally moderated, but there is a gap in our knowledge about patterns or thresholds of stimulation that kindle behavioral responses. We systematically recorded visual and auditory stimuli in an ED. Data were collected in four areas, hallway, doorway of waiting room, chair in waiting room, and treatment room, over several weeks and times of day. The mean light intensity ranged from 127 to 184 lux. There were significant differences (F = 16.77, df = 3, p > 0.001) between the five ED locations. Mean sound levels ranged from a high of 63.291 dB in the waiting room chair to a low of 51.289 dB in the treatment room. The highest consistent level of noise was recorded while sitting in the waiting room chair (60.657-63.291 dB). The findings suggest significant differences in light and sound intensity in common ED locations, with the highest mean readings of light and noise in the waiting areas. The differences and descriptions of light and sound patterns support the need for additional studies in both the measurement of the ED environment and its role in stimulating sensory defensiveness in people with ASD.
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Details
- Title
- Sensory Stimuli as Obstacles to Emergency Care for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Creators
- Ellen Giarelli - Drexel UniversityRomy Nocera - Hahnemann University HospitalRenee Turchi - Drexel UniversityThomas L. Hardie - St. Christopher's Hospital for ChildrenRachel Pagano - Drexel Univ, Coll Nursing & Hlth Profess, 1505 Race St,Bellet 526, Philadelphia, PA 19102 USACe Yuan - Drexel Univ, Coll Nursing & Hlth Profess, 1505 Race St,Bellet 526, Philadelphia, PA 19102 USA
- Publication Details
- Advanced emergency nursing journal, v 36(2), pp 145-163
- Publisher
- Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
- Number of pages
- 19
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- [Retired Faculty]; Emergency Medicine; Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000213090100006
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84922391890
- Other Identifier
- 991019168324204721
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- Web of Science research areas
- Nursing