Working with Children with Autism Undergoing Health-Care Assessments in a Day Hospital Setting: A Perspective from the Health-Care Professionals.

Background: Hospitals can be especially stressful for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) due to the communication and social skills deficits, lower capacity to adapt to disruption, and sensory hypersensitivity that are typical of these patients.

Purpose: This study investigated how health-care professionals (HPs) experienced the clinical care and management of children with ASD undergoing medical testing in a day hospital setting, and assessed the rate of successful completion of laboratory tests and instrumental examinations.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to 45 HPs, inquiring about their experience in obtaining blood and urine tests, ECG, audiometry, and EEG from children with ASD.