Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. Because it’s such a broad condition, some people with autism need significant help in their daily lives while others may need less. This can mean that a situation like going to the emergency room may be overwhelming or difficult for people with autism, causing them or their caregivers to seek out alternative options. In-home healthcare is a great alternative for people with autism—here are the top five reasons why:
Minimized Changes in Routine
One common behavior shared by many people with autism is getting upset by minor changes. Therefore, trying to seek care in a facility can be challenging. By instead having a team of healthcare specialists come to your home, you can minimize the disruption to this person’s daily routine and make it easier to provide him or her with the necessary treatment.
Social Anxiety
Even if a person with autism may not have issues with routine changes, he or she might get overwhelmed being in a public place like a doctor’s office or urgent care clinic. Anxiety, especially social anxiety, is a disorder that affects up to 42% of people with autism, so any sort of situation like a medical office can trigger this.
Issues With Personal Space Boundaries
If you’re caring for a child with autism, bringing them to the pediatrician when they’re sick can be difficult because they may not understand personal space boundaries. They may touch or interact with other children and adults, unintentionally spreading germs. The best way to prevent this from happening and helping stop the spread of any illnesses is to rely on in-home treatment instead.
Heightened Gastrointestinal Disorders
Another common ailment in children with ASD is a gastrointestinal disorder which can include chronic diarrhea and constipation. GI issues like this can be uncomfortable for anyone, but this is an even greater concern if you’re caring for a person with autism, as he or she may not verbalize these symptoms. In-home healthcare can eliminate the risk of an accident or uncomfortable situation.
Epilepsy & Seizures
Seizure disorders and epilepsy are frequently reported medical comorbidities in individuals with autism, affecting up to a third of people with ASD. In-home treatment is a top choice for someone experiencing a mild seizure, as symptoms can include involuntary stiffening or jerking of muscles, confusion, loss of consciousness, and unusual thoughts or sensations, making it nearly impossible to get them to a doctor or urgent care clinic. However, you should call 911 if a seizure lasts for more than five minutes or the person remains unconscious after it ends.
DispatchHealth Provides Personalized, In-Home Care
As trusted healthcare professionals, DispatchHealth can provide the attentive and knowledgeable in-home treatment that people with autism deserve. We have first-hand experience treating those with intellectual disabilities, so you can trust that we will offer the extra care needed for you or a loved one with autism. Once you reach out to us, we’ll discuss what symptoms are present and arrive at your door within a few hours.
Contact DispatchHealth today to schedule an appointment, learn more about our in-home healthcare, or for additional information like accepted insurances and how we’re protecting patients during COVID-19.
Sources
DispatchHealth relies only on authoritative sources, including medical associations, research institutions, and peer-reviewed medical studies.
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