Date Approved

8-18-2025

Embargo Period

8-18-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. Clinical Psychology

Department

Clinical Psychology

College

College of Science & Mathematics

Advisor

Christina Simmons, Ph.D.

Committee Member 1

Katherine Gotham, Ph.D.

Committee Member 2

Meredith Jones, Ph.D.

Keywords

autism;autism spectrum disorder;healthcare;nurses;nursing

Disciplines

Clinical Psychology | Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

Autistic individuals frequently report negative experiences during healthcare interactions and numerous provider-level barriers to accessing quality care, including stereotyping, perceived lack of autism knowledge, challenges with communication, and insufficient accommodations. Reports of healthcare providers’ experiences caring for autistic patients in the U.S. have largely come from physicians, who endorse inadequate training, resources, and practical guidelines. Although patients spend far more time with nurses than other healthcare providers, registered nurses (RNs)’ perspectives on caring for autistic patients in the U.S. are largely unknown and autism-focused trainings for nurses are minimal. In the current study, a survey was nationally disseminated to a sample of RNs (n = 67) to assess their autism knowledge, employment information, professional development, and experiences caring for autistic patients. Quantitative analyses revealed that RNs in the U.S. have moderate levels of autism knowledge, but inadequate knowledge of behavioral function. The majority of participants felt at least somewhat competent, confident, comfortable, and prepared to provide care to autistic patients, but they also endorsed inadequate supports and an ill-equipped healthcare system. Many RNs reported that their nursing school education did not prepare them to care for autistic patients and nearly half reported experiencing an emotional toll caring for autistic patients within the current system. This project identified key content and targets of practical recommendations and future interventions for nurses.

Download

Share

COinS