It is likely that a prehospital professional will encounter children with autism. It is therefore important to recognize when a child may have autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, and how to act accordingly.
Children with ASD may have difficulty maintaining conversations, understanding and maintaining social relationships, and recognizing nonverbal social cues and interactions. They often exhibit restricted and repetitive behaviors which may be any of the following: repetitive motor movements, speech, or use of objects; insisting on the same routine or rituals; restricted or fixated interest in an object or activity or unusual reaction to sensory input, ranging from excessive reaction to indifference.
After completing this course, the practitioner will be able to:
Understand the definition of autism.
Recognize the signs and symptoms of autism.
Describe techniques to effectively care for a child with autism.
Practitioners who successfully complete the Children with Special Healthcare Needs: Autism Spectrum Disorder (BLS/ALS Edition) course are eligible for 1 hour of continuing education
