Abstract
BACKGROUND: Transfer into the operating room, onto the operating table and mask induction of anaesthesia are major challenges faced by children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In a pilot study, parents observed that perioperative transfer becomes unsafe and difficult when children with ASD becomes uncooperative. METHOD: A CHILD-KIND CONCEPT mobility system comprising of multi-positioning seat configurations and restraining module was developed with inputs from multi-disciplinary healthcare professionals and parents with children with ASD. To appeal to children and motivate child-machine interaction, the seat configurations and restraining module are designed to take the form of child-friendly, non-threatening, fun and familiar items. The sitting configuration, sitting to supine transformation, the restraint modules resemble racing-car seat, reclining motion of a home massage chair, safety restraints found in airplanes and amusement rides respectively. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in the perioperative patient care, parents of ASD children and children (neurotypical and ASD) experience the use of the system in a non-clinical environment and participated in a survey study. The acceptance of its functionality (HCPs, parents) for perioperative transfer and induction of anaesthesia, rating of the user experience and likes and dislikes of (parents and children) were obtained. RESULTS: Thirty-two HCPs, 30 parents and 23 children participated. Majority of parents and HCPs opined the use of the system enables improvement in the management of perioperative movement (90.0% parents, 100% HCPs), safe perioperative movement (86.7% parents, 96.9% HCPs) and promotes ease of anaesthesia induction (76.7% parents, 90.6% HCPs) for uncooperative combative ASD children. Overall, 93.8% HCPs and 86.7% parents would recommend its frequent use in their own practice and their ASD children respectively. Attractiveness and multi-functionality are attributes endorsed by parents and children. Children endorse its use for induction of anaesthesia (73.9%), dental chair (82.6%), intra-hospital transfer (95.7%). CONCLUSION: A child-kind mobility device that integrates appeal with functionality of restraint and multi-positional transformation has a potential to promote safe perioperative movement and ease of induction of anaesthesia in anxious uncooperative ASD children.