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Autistic SPACE: a novel framework for meeting the needs of autistic people in healthcare settings

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 06:47 authored by Mary Doherty, Sue McCowan, Sebastian ShawSebastian Shaw
Autistic people experience significant health disparities and reduced life expectancy. Barriers to accessing healthcare are associated with adverse health outcomes. Autism training and healthcare professionals' knowledge about autism is variable, and heterogeneity among autistic people leads to additional educational and clinical complexities. Autism remains nebulous for many practitioners, who are unclear about communication differences, access needs or life experiences common to autistic people. Healthcare environments can be challenging for all patients but autistic people may require specific accommodations to allow equitable access. The authors have developed a simple framework which may facilitate equitable clinical services at all points of access and care, using the acronym ‘SPACE’. This encompasses five core autistic needs: Sensory needs, Predictability, Acceptance, Communication and Empathy. Three additional domains are represented by physical space, processing space and emotional space. This simple yet memorable framework encompasses commonalities shared by autistic people.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

British Journal of Hospital Medicine

ISSN

0210-0258

Publisher

Mark Allen Publishing Ltd.

Page range

1-9

Department affiliated with

  • Division of Medical Education Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2023-04-19

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2023-04-19

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2023-04-18

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