UP CHO - 2018
Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)
Medium
Which of the following would be the most effective treatment for children with autism?
Appeared in: UP CHO - 2018
Explanation
- The core of effective autism treatment combines a structured, predictable environment with evidence-based behavioral therapies.
- Structured educational settings (like TEACCH) reduce anxiety by creating routine and using visual supports, which caters to the learning style of individuals with ASD.
- Behavioral methods, particularly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), have the strongest evidence for improving communication, social skills, and adaptive behaviors by breaking down skills and using positive reinforcement.
- This combined approach is comprehensive, addressing both the learning environment and specific skill development, leading to the best outcomes.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: Punishment is counterproductive and often worsens behavior in children with ASD by increasing anxiety and fear. It does not teach appropriate replacement behaviors.
- Option B: While social integration is a goal, simply placing a child with ASD in a standard classroom without specialized support is not the most effective primary treatment. They require structured intervention to build foundational skills first.
- Option C: This form of therapy relies on abstract thought, emotional insight, and complex verbal communication—abilities that are typically impaired in individuals with ASD.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: Knowing Evidence-based treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
- A nurse's primary role when caring for a hospitalized child with ASD is to create a safe, predictable, and low-stimulus environment to minimize distress.
- Nurses must collaborate with parents to understand the child's specific routines, communication methods (e.g., picture boards), and triggers to provide consistent and effective care.
- What if? If a hospitalized child with ASD has a meltdown, the nurse's first action is to ensure safety for the child and others, then attempt to reduce sensory input (e.g., dim lights, reduce noise) and redirect the child with a known calming object or activity, rather than using physical restraint unless absolutely necessary for safety.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the core characteristics of the condition mentioned in the stem: Autism Spectrum Disorder. Recall that key features include difficulties with social communication and a preference for routine and predictability.
- Analyze each option based on how well it addresses these core features.
- Eliminate options that are contraindicated or mismatched. Punishment (Option A) is harmful. Insight-oriented therapy (Option C) is a mismatch for the typical cognitive and communication style in ASD.
- Compare the remaining options. While inclusion (Option B) is a goal, it's often not the most effective initial step. A structured approach (Option D) directly addresses the need for predictability and provides a foundation for learning.
- Select the option that offers a comprehensive, evidence-based strategy. The combination of structure and behavioral methods is the gold standard in autism treatment.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Evidence-based treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Stem keywords: autism, children, treatment
- Lead-in keywords: most effective
- Negative lead-in flag: false
Question ID
QFN_3PYu98ToSD-TeDdcd7
Reference Book
E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 425-427
E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 12090-12092
E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 406-408
Practise the full UP CHO - 2018
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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