Enhancing Healthcare Outcomes in Neurodivergent Adults in the Acute Care Settings
Major
Nursing, BSN
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Nursing
Faculty Advisor
Stephanie Moore
Location
CNS Atrium
Start Date
4-11-2026 8:30 AM
End Date
4-11-2026 9:45 AM
Abstract
Diagnoses of persons on the Autism Spectrum (AUD) have increased, over the last 20 years, with estimates that the diagnoses in adults have doubled. While autism is one example of what is being labeled as neurodivergence, additional diagnoses are also included in this category. These include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette’s Syndrome, learning disorders, and even some aspects of anxiety disorders. Challenges for persons diagnosed with neurodivergent processing include feeling overstimulated by their surroundings, difficulty with communication, or poor planning and prioritization. Even though neurodivergency is becoming more manageable in daily life, because of awareness, circumstances that challenge routines in neurodivergent persons’ (NP) lives may create distress. Being admitted to a hospital may be such a challenge. In the hospital setting NP are easily overstimulated by noise, lighting, smells, and sensory issues like medical applications, such as intravenous catheters (IVs) (Bond, 2024). There is little to no training nurses receive to prepare them to work effectively with neurodivergent, adult patients. Lack of knowledge may lead to negative patient outcomes such as decreased levels of care, unfair treatment, and misdiagnoses. We are conducting a review of literature surrounding the topic of neurodivergence in the adult acute care setting. The purpose of this review is to evaluate how communication barriers, limited healthcare education, and personal factors impact quality of care and overall health outcomes for neurodivergent individuals. Using the PRISMA technique for conducting literature review helps to identify quality research evidence and be used to help close the gaps in education and clinical practice on care for NP. Our review is currently in process.
Enhancing Healthcare Outcomes in Neurodivergent Adults in the Acute Care Settings
CNS Atrium
Diagnoses of persons on the Autism Spectrum (AUD) have increased, over the last 20 years, with estimates that the diagnoses in adults have doubled. While autism is one example of what is being labeled as neurodivergence, additional diagnoses are also included in this category. These include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette’s Syndrome, learning disorders, and even some aspects of anxiety disorders. Challenges for persons diagnosed with neurodivergent processing include feeling overstimulated by their surroundings, difficulty with communication, or poor planning and prioritization. Even though neurodivergency is becoming more manageable in daily life, because of awareness, circumstances that challenge routines in neurodivergent persons’ (NP) lives may create distress. Being admitted to a hospital may be such a challenge. In the hospital setting NP are easily overstimulated by noise, lighting, smells, and sensory issues like medical applications, such as intravenous catheters (IVs) (Bond, 2024). There is little to no training nurses receive to prepare them to work effectively with neurodivergent, adult patients. Lack of knowledge may lead to negative patient outcomes such as decreased levels of care, unfair treatment, and misdiagnoses. We are conducting a review of literature surrounding the topic of neurodivergence in the adult acute care setting. The purpose of this review is to evaluate how communication barriers, limited healthcare education, and personal factors impact quality of care and overall health outcomes for neurodivergent individuals. Using the PRISMA technique for conducting literature review helps to identify quality research evidence and be used to help close the gaps in education and clinical practice on care for NP. Our review is currently in process.