Patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can present unique challenges for the emergency physician. As these patients often have trouble making sense of their own emotional and physical states, they can become very distressed when experiencing pain. Many are also limited in their language abilities, and therefore can’t communicate verbally what is wrong

In this episode of Pomegranate, carer Annette talks about raising her teenage grandson Aaron, who needs continual care. Consultant paediatrician Meenakshi Rattan FRACP (Campbelltown Hospital, NSW), and psychiatrist Kenneth Nunn FRANZCP FRACP (Children’s Hospital Westmead, NSW) share the techniques they use to calm distressed patients living with autism and make medical assessments. They also describe the appropriate sedation that might be used for the most agitated and aggressive cases, and how gaps in the transition of patients to adult care might be filled. 

Production
This episode was produced by Mic Cavazzini. Music from Blue Dot Sessions ('A Path Unwinding'), Loch Lomond ('From Here to Iceland', 'Violins and Tea'), Chris Zabriskie ('Out of the Skies, Under the Earth'); photo courtesy iStock.  The production manager was Anne Fredrickson.

Editorial feedback was provided by RACP Fellows Dr Pavan Chandrala, Dr Tessa Davis, Dr Rebecca Grainger, Dr Michael Herd, Dr Paul Jauncey, Dr Joseph Lee, Dr Marion Leighton, Dr Sherina Mubiru, Dr Alan Ngo, Dr Ellen Taylor and Dr Phillipa Wormald, Advanced Trainee Dr Katrina Gibson and Mr Quentin Abraham MNZPsS. 

Please visit the RACP website for a transcript embedded with citations. Fellows of the College can claim CPD credits for listening and additional reading.