Adaptive Care in the Perioperative Setting

The overall purpose for conducting this research is to improve the safety and efficacy of care for perioperative patients who have developmental delays and behavioral challenges. The specific objectives for this study are to describe distress behaviors and interventions used in the ACT population. The investigators will also determine the relationship between a predictive measure of distress (the Psychosocial Risk Assessment in Pediatrics score) with the actual distress behaviors exhibited by patients in the perioperative area. This study will provide knowledge that is necessary in order to develop best practices and to guide future research for this patient population. Further understanding the techniques used to improve care in the perioperative setting may also provide useful information to consider in other healthcare settings where this patient population has difficulty with coping and cooperating (ex. vaccinations, placing IVs, dental work, etc.).