Autism Severity, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Oral Health: A Comparative Study of Adolescents in the United States.

Dental health significantly influences overall child physical well-being, academic success, and psychosocial development. This paper explores the intersection of a range of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) functionality, multiple types of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and dental health in adolescents. The purpose is to investigate the independent and interactive effects of ASD severity and ACEs on dental outcomes.

Forensic Nursing State of the Science: Research and Practice Opportunities.

Introduction: The International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) is the only nursing organization advancing the forensic nursing specialty. The organization seeks to advance the profession, and one mechanism for doing so is development of a research agenda.

Methods: The purpose of this action-based research study was to aid in the development of a forensic nursing research agenda.

Trauma-Informed Care: Helping Patients with a Painful Past.

Life trauma is highly correlated with an increased risk of mortality from chronic disease. Trauma-informed care (TIC) is an evidence-based approach to deliver healthcare in a way that recognizes and responds to the long-term health effects of the experience of trauma in patients' lives. Four essential features and six defining concepts delineate a TIC approach to healthcare.

Caregiver-fabricated illness in a child.

In October 2004, a case of caregiver-fabricated illness in a child was identified in a children's hospital in the Midwest. This case report begins with a discussion and explanation of the various nomenclatures that have been used by the healthcare community such as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, factitious disorder by proxy, medical child abuse, and caregiver-fabricated illness in a child. A discussion of case facts is then presented, which includes key concepts that nurses should know regarding a diagnosis of caregiver-fabricated illness in a child and the interventions that should be taken.

Nurse practitioner knowledge of child sexual abuse in children with cognitive disabilities.

The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge level of nurse practitioners regarding symptoms of child sexual abuse in children with cognitive disabilities. A total sample of 43 nurse practitioners from two professional nurse practitioner organizations was surveyed to assess child sexual abuse symptoms identification in intellectually disabled children using a revised edition of the Child Sexual Abuse Knowledge Survey. Data collected showed nurse practitioners have deficits in identifying various parts of prepubescent female genitalia.