autistic patients

Nurses General Nursing

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I have an autistic patient who is constantly pulling his IV lines, wound vac dsg, etc. He is on a 1:1 sitter but it seems to be not helping out the situation at all. Are there any suggestions on how I can keep him preoccupied? He is an adult male patient with a severe case of autism. Thanks.

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if it is seriously interfering w/his txs, then he needs to be sedated.

it stinks, yes.

but if a 1:1 isn't working, there are few options left.

and i think it would be much kinder to chemically restrain than physically.

sad.

leslie

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Have you discussed this with a hospital psychologist or psychiatrist?

Ask his caregivers what activities are good distractions for him. Sometimes there are specific behavior management strategies that you can adapt from home.

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Specializes in Sub Acute Rehab/ Oncology Med-Surg.

Wrap cling to his IV site if possible, try to keep all tubing out-of-sight, out-of-reach if at all possible.

Try to give him something to do with his hands, if possible.

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What is this sitter doing? That would be my first question. What scg08rn suggested is good. You could also try armboards to iv site, freedom splint to opposite arm, mitt to opposite hand. My godson is severely autistic and required constant supervision during any hospitalization. If your patient has something they are focused on(my godson it was trains), try this as a diversion. Drawing, coloring, puzzles, videos, folding items, tearing paper, counting activities, painting, may help divert attention. May try giving him tubing to play with. And since he has a sitter, they can participate in these different activities. If he is allowed up, exercise may be helpful also.

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Keep his hands busy. There are some products aimed at autistic people to do just that. Here are a link: http://www.officeplayground.com/Autism-Toys-W26C117.aspx

Call OT-they may have a few things to busy those hands and keep him occupied!

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If he has family or caregivers who you can speak with, maybe find out if there's something from home that he likes which might keep his hands busy.

You'd get a two for one by keeping his hands occupied and possibly giving him a way to decrease his stress with a familiar object/activity.

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I agree with keeping the hands (and mind) busy. My son likes to fold paper...esp when stressed. OT may be able to help, too.

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