ASSISTÊNCIA DO ENFERMEIRO À CRIANÇA NO TRANSTORNO DO ESPECTRO AUTISTA

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be identified in the first years of life and consists of a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes harm to a child's development. Nurses have a primary role in assisting children with ASD, as they will provide care and promote quality of life. Thus, the objective was to describe the role of the nurse in assisting children with ASD. Narrative bibliographical research, of a descriptive and exploratory type, with a qualitative approach, was carried out in the Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and Google Scholar databases. As inclusion criteria, articles published between 2013 and 2022, in Portuguese, Spanish and English, were selected. The results were organized into three categories: nursing care for children with ASD in primary health care; nursing care for children with ASD in the hospital environment and challenges and difficulties faced by nurses in caring for children with ASD. The studies highlight the fundamental role of nursing, which can generate good impacts in the provision of services to children with autistic disorders based on a broad and at the same time individual vision during the assistance provided. Therefore, it is nursing's responsibility to assist in early diagnosis, development monitoring, a human perspective capable of recognizing difficulties and developing strategies to help with the challenges encountered, recognizing the child's demands and providing assistance to parents in understanding ASD. In view of this, it is considered that nursing aims to generate well-being for child patients with ASD and to do so, resort to strategies that positively impact the quality of care both in the first care and in the hospital setting. Investment in continuing education and new studies and research are important for nurses to have a basis when providing care in an efficient, individualized and convinced manner.