Autism Spectrum Disorder in Child and Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Settings: Presentation, Clinical Strategies, and Application of the Double Empathy Problem.

Abstract

Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have presentations and clinical needs in the inpatient psychiatric (IP) setting that are distinct from those of their neurotypical peers. This narrative review describes the clinical presentations and IP environmental management strategies for youth with ASD. Evidence suggests that traditional IP care teams often are poorly equipped to address the multifaceted specific needs of this population. The benefits for a multifaceted approach in youth IP units with an increased focus on family collaboration, youth communication, and various psychosocial modalities are described, as are specialized IP units for patients with ASD. We suggest that an established framework called the double empathy problem can be used to better understand the complexities of interpersonal interactions and psychosocial environments within IP units. Future research may integrate the double empathy problem into understandings of caring for youth with ASD in IP contexts to optimize pharmacological interventions and enhance therapeutic milieus.