ERIC Number: EJ1470845
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jun
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: EISSN-1573-3432
Available Date: 2023-07-08
Assessing Child Life Specialists' Management of Challenging Behaviors in Autistic Pediatric Patients
Kaitlyn Schenk1; Amy A. Weimer1; Katherine Rice Warnell2
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v55 n6 p2014-2020 2025
Given that autistic children are hospitalized at higher rates than neurotypical peers, it is important to understand the autism-specific preparedness of healthcare providers. Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLSs) play a crucial role in pediatric hospitalizations by providing socioemotional support and coping strategies. The present study assessed perceived competency and comfort levels among 131 CCLSs regarding the management of challenging behaviors exhibited by autistic pediatric patients, including aggression and self-injury. All participants reported experiences providing care to autistic children who exhibited challenging behaviors, but very few reported both high perceived competency and high comfort in managing these behaviors. Autism-specific training positively correlated with perceived competency and comfort. These results have implications for providing autistic children high quality hospital care.
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Children, Pediatrics, Patients, Child Behavior, Behavior Problems, Behavior Modification, Allied Health Personnel, Specialists, Child Health, Hospitalized Children, Coping, Aggression, Self Destructive Behavior, Training
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link-springer-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Data File: URL: https://osf.io/fq9uk/
Author Affiliations: 1Texas State University, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, San Marcos, USA; 2Texas State University, Department of Psychology, San Marcos, USA