Children with autism spectrum disorder at a pediatric hospital: a systematic review of the literature.

This review of literature describes the behaviors of hospitalized children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that health care providers find challenging. It also identifies strategies used to address these challenging behaviors. The systematic review of literature identified 34 articles from databases on health care of challenging behaviors of children with ASD. The review identified four categories of challenging behaviors (non-compliance, hyperactivity, sensory defensiveness, self-injury) and several strategies for reducing these behaviors. Partnering with parents to develop strategies is important for children with ASD to deliver timely and safe care.