Desafios do enfermeiro da atenção básica no rastreamento precoce do Transtorno do Espectro Autista: uma revisão integrativa de literatura

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, behavior, social interaction, and language. Early diagnosis is crucial, as it enables interventions that promote independence and improve the quality of life for children. In this context, nurses play a key role in the early identification of ASD, often conducted during child care visits. However, various barriers hinder effective care, resulting in cases of autism being overlooked or neglected. This research aimed to identify, through literature, the current challenges faced by primary care nurses in the early screening of ASD. It employed an Integrative Literature Review with a descriptive and qualitative approach. The study's data collection was conducted from July to August 2024 across the following databases: Virtual Health Library (VHL), CAPES Periodicals Portal, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO Brazil), and Google Scholar. The final sample comprised 16 articles. Nurses face several challenges in early ASD screening during child care consultations, including insufficient knowledge about the disorder, inadequate coverage of the topic in academic training, lack of essential tools for detection, and the absence of protocols and workflows within the healthcare network related to ASD. On the other hand, strategies have been developed to overcome these challenges, such as professional training, continuous education, the implementation of protocols and flowcharts, integration of ASD-related topics into academic curricula, and encouragement of new research on nursing's role in early ASD detection. These efforts are particularly significant as many suspected ASD cases are identified in primary care services, which serve as the entry point to the healthcare system.