Increasing Nursing Students' Knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder by Using a Standardized Patient.

Nursing students participated in a simulation using a standardized patient role-playing an adolescent with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The researchers used student feedback to develop and improve a simulation aimed at increasing learner skills and knowledge for treating ASD patients. Students indicated that the standardized patient provided realism not obtained when using static manikins or high-fidelity simulators. Students strongly agreed or agreed that classroom instruction prior to the simulation was important to increasing their knowledge of ASD. Overall, the simulation provided students an opportunity to practice and develop their clinical skills in caring for patients with ASD.