Digital material | In the Heart of Autism

Visiting a hospital is stressful for everyone. Endless corridors, unknown spaces and mostly strangers can cause stress particularly to children, teenagers, and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However this is not the case if they have already prepared for it, anticipating each stage. Prepared by experts, the information materials aim to familiarize individuals with ASD with the various procedures, spaces, doctors and nurses they will encounter at a hospital. It guides them step by step through the waiting rooms and labs, introducing medical staff and offering information about what is entailed in the blood-pressure test, heart ultrasound and cardiogram. In this way, they can be aware of all stages of their medical tests, but also of the different feelings that may arise during them.

The information materials can also be used as a guide for doctors, nursing staff, and mental health professionals so that they too can respond to the needs of individuals with ASD, ensuring that their visit to hospital is registered in a positive way. The social stories can also be used as a guide for individuals with ASD with regard to heart tests.

The digital material (i.e., the information booklet for medical and nursing staff and the publication with social stories for therapists and parents of children with ASD) is addressed to children, teenagers, and adults with ASD, medical and nursing staff, and mental health professionals.