Children with complex needs (like autism learning disabilities or multiple health issues) are at higher risk of serious illness, yet, they can be challenging to assess. Children with complex needs are five times more likely than the rest of the population to die from a treatable condition.
The TEACH mnemonic can help do the best possible assessment when assessing children with complex needs.
Time
Allow more time for these consultations. It may take longer to take a history. The nature of the information may be more complex, and it might be a slower process if the patient has communication difficulties. The examination can be more challenging, too. For this, you need to be patient and allow more time.
Environment
Your patient may have sensory processing needs. Some things in the hospital environment can make the experience worse. Flashing lights, beeping noises, and loud voices are all stressful. Ask the patient and family what will work best. Perhaps you have somewhere more suitable for them to wait (rather than the main waiting room)?
Ask if there’s something that will make them feel more secure. They may have a favourite toy or a favourite blanket. Try to ensure you have this at hand to make them feel more secure.
Attitude
Don’t make assumptions or judgements about quality of life based on the one time you see them. You might be seeing them at their very worst. You may never see or get to know them at their very best. Now is not the time to judge their quality of life.
Be mindful of diagnostic overshadowing when a child presents to hospital and has a pre-existing condition. In this group of patients, we tend to put all the presenting problems down to that one condition. Their presentation may be unrelated to their complex needs. Remember to look beyond the obvious and think more broadly about other potential diagnoses.
Bear in mind that this group of patients may have atypical symptoms. A child with a neuromuscular disorder, might not be able to mount an increased respiratory rate in response to a chest infection, or might not be able to mount a pyrexia when they have an infection. Not everything presents ‘typically’ in these young people.
Keep an open mind with a view to pain assessment. It is often underestimated in children with complex needs. Just because a child can’t verbalise doesn’t mean they are not in pain. Use a pain assessment tool that considers their developmental stage, parental perception of pain, and any information you can get from the patient.
The most important lesson is to include the family and to respect the parents. Parents of children with complex needs know their children much better than you do. If you’re unsure about something, it’s fine to acknowledge that and ask the parents what they think is happening. They know all the ins and outs of the child’s medical issues, medications, and normal behaviour.
Families of children with complex needs have hospital appointments all the time. They do not want to spend extra time in an Emergency Department. They have come to the ED because they are worried. Respect that decision, and take their concerns seriously.
Communication
When you talk to a young person with complex needs, speak slowly, speak clearly, and allow time for them to respond.
Ask the family (and the young person) how best to communicate with them. Remember about non-verbal communication – how you’re using your body language gestures and what kind of communication the young person is using themselves.
Look at other communication aids that they are using. Do they use any adaptive forms of communication? Would drawing pictures be helpful? Would it be beneficial to give them a resource explaining what will happen in the department that’s easy to read and understand? Is there a picture book with simple explanations about the procedures they will have or what the process will be?
If you don’t have any available, you can still use body language and gestures to enhance communication. Pointing to a body part when discussing it is very helpful. You are supporting verbal communication with visuals.
Help
What help does the patient need from you? What help do you need to understand this patient and implement the right management plan?
Parents are your friends here. They know all about this person. There may be some soft signs that aren’t usual when taking history. It might be that they are not eating their favourite meal or not watching the television program they normally watch. These subtle signs can be really important. That’s why we have to ask the parents what their worries are.
If the child has a hospital passport, this is a great source of information. It will give you tips on communicating with the child and their normal functioning. It will also list any ongoing medical issues and the child’s medications.
If you’re lucky enough to have a learning disability nurse in your hospital, call them. They will likely be able to help advise and may know the patient well.
Using the TEACH mnemonic is a great way to remind yourself of everything you need to remember to get the best consultation possible for young people with complex needs.
