A nurse is providing teaching about home care to the parents of a child who has autism spectrum disorder. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A.
Maintain a flexible daily schedule for the child
B.
Use a reward system to modify the child’s behavior
C.
Provide a variety of family members to care for the child
D.
Administer alprazolam as needed to reduce the child’s anxiety
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is B. Use a reward system to modify the child’s behavior.
Explanation
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by challenges in social communication and repetitive behaviors. Effective home care involves strategies tailored to the child’s unique needs. Here’s why B is the most appropriate instruction:
**1. *Behavioral Interventions*: Children with ASD often benefit from structured behavioral interventions. A reward system, such as positive reinforcement, can help encourage desired behaviors and decrease challenging ones. By providing rewards for specific behaviors, parents can motivate the child to engage in more socially acceptable and adaptive behaviors. This approach is based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a widely recognized method for supporting children with ASD.
**2. *Consistency and Structure*: Consistent routines and clear expectations are crucial for children with ASD. While flexibility in a daily schedule can be beneficial in some cases, maintaining a consistent routine is generally more effective in helping these children feel secure and understand what is expected of them. Thus, *A* (maintain a flexible daily schedule) is not as beneficial as using a structured approach with a reward system.
**3. *Family Member Involvement*: Involving a variety of family members in caregiving can lead to inconsistency in routines and expectations, which may be challenging for a child with ASD who thrives on predictability. Therefore, *C* (provide a variety of family members to care for the child) is not advisable.
**4. *Medication Caution*: Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine used primarily for anxiety disorders and is not typically recommended for children with ASD due to potential side effects and dependency issues. Medication should be prescribed and managed by a healthcare professional specializing in pediatric neurology or psychiatry. Thus, *D* (administer alprazolam as needed) is not appropriate advice for general home care.
In summary, using a reward system aligns with evidence-based practices for managing behavior in children with ASD, making it the most suitable instruction for the parents in this context.