Autistic SPACE: a novel framework for meeting the needs of autistic people in healthcare settings

Added on 28/09/2024

Type de contenu

Journal article of the type Theoretical development ( ; english)

Autistic SPACE: a novel framework for meeting the needs of autistic people in healthcare settings published in the journal "British journal of hospital medicine" n°4, vol.84, 9 pages , doi: 10.12968/hmed.2023.0006

*All co-authors had publicly identified as autistic. [Learn more about this mention]

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Summary/Presentation

Autistic people experience significant health disparities and reduced life expectancy. Barriers to accessing healthcare are associated with adverse health outcomes. Autism training and healthcare professionals' knowledge about autism is variable, and heterogeneity among autistic people leads to additional educational and clinical complexities. Autism remains nebulous for many practitioners, who are unclear about communication differences, access needs or life experiences common to autistic people. Healthcare environments can be challenging for all patients but autistic people may require specific accommodations to allow equitable access. The authors have developed a simple framework which may facilitate equitable clinical services at all points of access and care, using the acronym ‘SPACE’. This encompasses five core autistic needs: Sensory needs, Predictability, Acceptance, Communication and Empathy. Three additional domains are represented by physical space, processing space and emotional space. This simple yet memorable framework encompasses commonalities shared by autistic people.

For your information:

(1) References in blue are resources listed on our site.

(2) Authors listed in this bibliography whose names are in color have published other resources referenced on the site. Clicking on the name allows you to see the list of resources they have published and shared on the site.

(3) Authors whose names are followed by an asterisk have publicly disclosed being autistic.


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