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16 - DESAFIOS NA ASSISTÊNCIA AO PACIENTE COM TRANSTORNO DO ESPECTRO AUTISTA EM UNIDADE TERAPIA INTENSIVA

Doi: 10.47094/978-65-284-0427-8/16

PALAVRAS CHAVE: Transtorno do Espectro Autista. Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Humanização da Assistência.

KEYWORDS: Autism Spectrum Disorder. Intensive Care Unit. Humanization of Care.

ABSTRACT:
INTRODUCTION: The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a complex environment, marked by constant equipment noise, intense lights, and constant movement of professionals, which can intensify agitation and suffering, especially in patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Although people with ASD have the right to humane and safe care, the scarcity of specific protocols and the lack of preparedness of the multidisciplinary team can compromise the quality of care. The objective is to report the experience of caring for a patient with ASD in an Adult ICU, demonstrating the challenges faced with a patient profile atypical to the unit's routine. METHODOLOGY: Experience report, with a descriptive approach, carried out between March and May 2025, experienced by nursing residents of the Multiprofessional Program in Adult Intensive Care of the State Health Secretariat of Rondônia, in a public ICU, specialized in infectious diseases, located in Porto Velho, Rondônia. EXPERIENCE REPORT: During my time working in the ICU, I admitted an adult patient diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), associated with speech impairment and intellectual disability. The patient's presence presented a challenge for the team, as the unit's profile does not typically include cases with specific neurobehavioral needs. It was observed that constant environmental noises, such as alarms, monitors, mechanical ventilators, and overlapping voices, caused frequent agitation episodes, especially after bathing – a time when the patient showed greater sensory discomfort. On several occasions, it was necessary to use mechanical restraints to prevent self-harming behavior and inadvertent removal of devices. The team, although committed to care, demonstrated difficulty in adopting appropriate strategies for approach, communication, care delivery, and management of the patient's neurological and behavioral condition. This experience highlighted the lack of specific training for caring for neurodivergent patients and the urgent need for protocols adapted to the intensive care setting. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: Caring for patients with ASD in highly complex environments requires individualized interventions and a trained team to meet their sensory and behavioral needs. Lack of technical preparation can compromise the quality and safety of care. Thus, training the team, adapting routines, ensuring the presence of a caregiver, adjusting lighting, and maintaining an organized environment are important strategies to promote the humanization and inclusion of neurodivergent patients in critical settings.

Autores

  • Brena Silva Santos

  • Bruna Maciele Pinheiro

  • Francisco Mateus Lima da Silva

  • Iris Land Leonel Lima

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