Experts give tips for more pleasant vaccination of children with autism

The adoption of some measures can facilitate the relationship of autistic children with vaccination against Covid-19. Among them are scheduling appointments in advance, in order to avoid queues, and administering doses in a dimly lit environment with quiet sounds.

The suggestions are from professors from UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais), who organized a vaccination day with a sensorially adapted space and with interdisciplinary actions to facilitate the relationship of the little ones with immunization.

“We came together to prepare a vaccination routine that is more respectful of the challenges that people with autism have”, says Maria Luísa Nogueira, a professor in the psychology department at UFMG, one of the organizers of the project.

Named Vacina Bem, the action is scheduled to take place this Wednesday (9) in Belo Horizonte—registration to participate ended on the 6th.

According to her, who is the coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Attention Program for Autism (Beach), an important tip to improve the experience of these children is to do adequate prior preparation.

Thus, it is essential to use playful methods to explain the importance of vaccination and what will happen at that moment. The use of visual materials is recommended as it aids in understanding.

In addition, on the day of vaccination, the ideal is to schedule appointments in advance. “Waiting is also a factor that causes anxiety for many autistics. Some can deal well with queues and waiting, but not all”, says the psychologist.

Before children are vaccinated, occupational therapy techniques can help reduce the stress of the moment. According to the teacher, stimuli that calm and comfort children can be used, so that they arrive at the vaccination room more relaxed.

In the vaccination room itself, it is ideal that the environment has little light and quiet sounds, as autistics are more sensitive to excess stimuli, such as strong lighting and very loud noises.

For the professor of the maternal and child nursing department at UFMG Delma Simão, despite the high demand for health centers, some of these actions can be applied on a large scale.

The more playful waiting rooms can be reproduced, in addition to the work aimed at understanding the importance of the vaccine. In addition, training professionals to deal with children with autism is ideal.

“On a day-to-day basis, they have excellent training for vaccination. However, the flow of care is very large. Often, it would be necessary to have another trained professional, in addition to the vaccinator itself. This support needs to be something thought within public policies “, she says.

Professor Delma advises that it is important that families, who know the child better, talk to the vaccinators, so that joint solutions are thought of.

“Some particular attitudes of vaccinators are possible to establish a more gentle practice. For example, you can give priority to care, vaccinate in a place with fewer people, or with a vaccinator that the child accepts approaching her”, says Delma. .

For psychiatrist Alexandre Hatem, inadequate vaccination of these children can be traumatic and worsen their relationship with future vaccines or medical treatments. Establishing a differentiated space for this moment would also help to avoid trauma.

According to the doctor, in addition to explaining to children, it is important to make families aware of the importance and benefits of vaccination. Due to the child’s conditions, a possible hospitalization for Covid could be more challenging.

Hatem also explains that vaccination is essential so that children can return more safely to the care and therapies that are very important in the phase of child development.

The action developed at UFMG was inspired by similar projects carried out by institutes in the United States. The project brings together teams from the areas of psychology, nursing, occupational therapy and physical education. According to Professor Maria Luísa Nogueira, it is important that actions of this type are reproduced and can reach more people.

“Although it seems like a very big thing, a big structure, it can be built in the microcosm of each municipality, in some health units, in reference posts. vaccinate,” she says.