CARE STRATEGIES FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IN HOSPITAL SETTINGS: A SCOPING REVIEW
ABSTRACT Objective: to map the scientific evidence on health interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) during hospitalization. Method: this is a scoping review developed in accordance with the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute, conducted in February 2025 across the Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, LILACS, and BDENF databases. Included were primary studies, reviews, theses, dissertations, and experience reports addressing autism and care strategies in hospital settings, available in full, published in any language, and with no time restriction. Results: 12 studies comprised the final sample. Following analysis, the identified interventions were grouped into four categories: 1) care strategies in inpatient psychiatric settings; 2) care strategies in general hospital settings; 3) care in the emergency department; 4) care in the surgical department. Conclusion: the study identified intervention strategies that can improve the hospitalization experience of children with ASD. These interventions show potential to significantly enhance the hospital experience of children with ASD and the effectiveness of their treatment.