Lunch and Learn - Perioperative care of the neurodivergent child

This webinar is a practical, case-based Lunch and Learn designed to address a critical gap in perioperative care by equipping clinicians with the knowledge and strategies needed to support neurodivergent children in surgical and procedural settings.

Neurodivergent children, including those with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences often face increased distress and poorer outcomes during surgical experiences. Factors such as unfamiliar environments, communication barriers, changes in routine, and sensory overload can contribute to elevated anxiety, procedural delays, and even long-term trauma. Many clinicians report feeling underprepared to meet the complex needs of these patients within standard perioperative pathways.

This session follows the story of Arlo, a 7-year-old with autism and sensory sensitivities, as he navigates each stage of a planned surgical procedure. Through this case-based approach, the session will explore how to implement trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming strategies that can be adapted across different healthcare settings. These include sensory-friendly environmental modifications, visual supports, pre-operative planning tools, tailored communication strategies, and recovery room adaptations.

You will leave the session with practical tools to:

• Reduce patient distress and behavioural escalations
  
  

• Improve communication and collaboration with families and carers
  
  

• Enhance procedural compliance through personalisation of care
  
  

• Contribute to safer, more inclusive, and more effective perioperative experiences
  
  

This webinar is ideal for perioperative nurses, anesthetists, recovery staff, paediatricians, GPs, and allied health professionals. The session aligns with patient-centred care principles, supports CPD requirements, and promotes a culture of inclusion and trust within healthcare environments.

This is a Medcast Continuing Medical Education (CME) course.