PREPARATION AND DESENSITIZATION IN VIEW OF PERFORMING VIDEO ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: A CASE SERIES.

EEG recording in children on the autism spectrum is often a challenging task due to their frequent hypersensitivity to even mild sensory stimuli and difficulty coping with novel situations outside of familiar routines. This article describes the video electroencephalography (EEG) preparation process carried out with five children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), using a structured protocol of gradual exposure and environmental desensitization involving outpatient staff and the presence of parents. The high success rate in both EEG acquisition and patient cooperation underscores the clinical importance of structured preparation and desensitization protocols in facilitating EEG procedures for children and adolescents with ASD. In this study, gradual and playful exposure - anchored in predictable routines and symbolic play - helped modulate sensory input, addressing a core challenge in ASD. The intervention also leveraged the psychological benefits of increased environmental predictability, which plays a crucial role in reducing anxiety driven by uncertainty in individuals on the autism spectrum. Moreover, the active involvement of caregivers likely supported co-regulation and emotional safety, further contributing to the successful outcomes observed. These findings advocate for the integration of individualized, behaviourally informed protocols into routine clinical practice for neurophysiological assessments in children with ASD.