Nursing Care for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Hospital Settings: An Integrative Literature Review

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by cognitive, communicative, and social impairments, and is classified into three levels of support. Child hospitalization, in turn, impacts the child and their family in biopsychosocial aspects, related to issues of physical health, stress, adaptation to the disease, and social interactions. In the case of autistic children, the complexity of the disorder requires hospital care adaptations. Objective: To describe the nursing care provided to children with ASD during hospitalization. Materials and Methods: This is an integrative literature review performed in July 2024, covering articles published between 2014 and 2024. The search for articles was conducted in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Periódicos Capes, Lilacs, and BDEnf databases, using descriptors registered in MeSH/DeCS. The inclusion criteria consisted of primary studies, while the exclusion criteria consisted of academic papers, books, and book chapters. Results: The search and selection process for the studies in this review was organized via the Prisma flowchart, yielding 317 identified studies, of which 11 were selected. Most studies were qualitative and published in the United States. The results show the importance of individualizing care according to the specific needs of each child. In addition, visual and sensory communication strategies have been shown to be effective in reducing stress and promoting a welcoming environment. In this sense, specialized training for healthcare professionals and a multidisciplinary approach were found to be essential for improving care. Conclusions: The analysis of the studies reviewed highlights the importance of a personalized and patient-centered approach, as well as the need for continuous training for nursing professionals. Thus, this study contributes significantly to the growth of knowledge regarding nursing care, identifying challenges and needs, as well as proposing evidence-based interventions to improve care quality.