Working with children with autism spectrum disorder in a medical setting: Insights from Certified Child Life Specialists.

Emily J Jensen; Cheryl Lynn Geisthardt; Pamela A Sarigiani

Working with children with autism spectrum disorder in a medical setting: Insights from Certified Child Life Specialists.

Emily J Jensen, Cheryl Lynn Geisthardt, Pamela A Sarigiani

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study aimed to gain an understanding of Certified Child Life Specialists’ (CCLS) experiences with and suggestions for working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a medical setting. Using a mixed-method design, 118 CCLS completed an online survey and 16 participated in follow-up interviews. Participants believed many medical professionals, including CCLS, are not adequately prepared to work with children with ASD, negatively impacting quality of care. Participants emphasized that outcomes are best for children with ASD when parents and medical staff collaborate to meet the unique needs of each child. CCLS reported working with children with ASD can provide insights for enhancing the quality of care for all children. Participants’ suggestions for training and resource development are discussed.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	189-198
Journal	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Volume	50
Issue number	1
State	Published - 2020

Cite this

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title = "Working with children with autism spectrum disorder in a medical setting: Insights from Certified Child Life Specialists.",

abstract = "This study aimed to gain an understanding of Certified Child Life Specialists{\textquoteright} (CCLS) experiences with and suggestions for working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a medical setting. Using a mixed-method design, 118 CCLS completed an online survey and 16 participated in follow-up interviews. Participants believed many medical professionals, including CCLS, are not adequately prepared to work with children with ASD, negatively impacting quality of care. Participants emphasized that outcomes are best for children with ASD when parents and medical staff collaborate to meet the unique needs of each child. CCLS reported working with children with ASD can provide insights for enhancing the quality of care for all children. Participants{\textquoteright} suggestions for training and resource development are discussed.",

author = "Jensen, {Emily J} and Geisthardt, {Cheryl Lynn} and Sarigiani, {Pamela A}",

note = "Funding Information: The authors would like to thank Central Michigan University{\textquoteright}s Honors Program for financial support of this project. Funding Information: The authors would like to thank Central Michigan University?s Honors Program for financial support of this project. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.",

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AU - Jensen, Emily J

AU - Geisthardt, Cheryl Lynn

AU - Sarigiani, Pamela A

N1 - Funding Information: The authors would like to thank Central Michigan University’s Honors Program for financial support of this project. Funding Information: The authors would like to thank Central Michigan University?s Honors Program for financial support of this project. Publisher Copyright: © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - This study aimed to gain an understanding of Certified Child Life Specialists’ (CCLS) experiences with and suggestions for working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a medical setting. Using a mixed-method design, 118 CCLS completed an online survey and 16 participated in follow-up interviews. Participants believed many medical professionals, including CCLS, are not adequately prepared to work with children with ASD, negatively impacting quality of care. Participants emphasized that outcomes are best for children with ASD when parents and medical staff collaborate to meet the unique needs of each child. CCLS reported working with children with ASD can provide insights for enhancing the quality of care for all children. Participants’ suggestions for training and resource development are discussed.

AB - This study aimed to gain an understanding of Certified Child Life Specialists’ (CCLS) experiences with and suggestions for working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a medical setting. Using a mixed-method design, 118 CCLS completed an online survey and 16 participated in follow-up interviews. Participants believed many medical professionals, including CCLS, are not adequately prepared to work with children with ASD, negatively impacting quality of care. Participants emphasized that outcomes are best for children with ASD when parents and medical staff collaborate to meet the unique needs of each child. CCLS reported working with children with ASD can provide insights for enhancing the quality of care for all children. Participants’ suggestions for training and resource development are discussed.

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Working with children with autism spectrum disorder in a medical setting: Insights from Certified Child Life Specialists.

Abstract

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