Percepção dos enfermeiros da atenção primária sobre o cuidado de enfermagem a crianças com transtorno do espectro autista

Abstract

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with variable severity for each individual, characterized as pervasive and permanent, with no cure. The importance of the nurse’s role in welcoming care and contributing to specific interventions and treatments is highlighted, as well as providing guidance to families. Thus, the research question was: How do Primary Health Care (PHC) nurses perceive care for children with ASD? Objective: To understand how PHC nurses perceive care for children with ASD. Methodology: This is a qualitative study, of the participatory action research type, grounded in the theoretical and methodological assumptions of Paulo Freire. Nine nurses participated in the study, meeting the following inclusion criteria: PHC nurses from a municipality in the Western region of Santa Catarina who provide care to children in their daily practice; and exclusion criteria: nurses with less than six months of work experience, or those on vacation or leave during the research period. The Virtual Culture Circle (VCC) was the data production technique used in this study and took place in May 2025. Data analysis was conducted concurrently with data production, using Bardin’s thematic categorization to define the themes to be presented. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee under CAAE number: 85383624.7.0000.5564 and opinion number: 7.445.663. Results: Three themes emerged: Care for children with ASD; Educational processes for nursing professionals; and Feelings of professionals who care for children with ASD. It was evidenced that, although participants initially did not recognize the provision of direct care, they play a central role in care coordination, welcoming families, guiding them through the healthcare network, and promoting intersectoral articulation. Weaknesses were identified, such as the absence of institutional protocols, lack of network integration, and gaps in professional training, contributing to feelings of insecurity and unpreparedness. On the other hand, potentialities emerged, such as the organization of differentiated care pathways, creation of support groups, individual pursuit of qualification, and redefinition of the nurse’s role as a care coordinator. Final considerations: It is concluded that nurses’ perception of care for children with ASD in PHC is marked by a dialectical movement between limitations and possibilities, highlighting the need to strengthen continuing education, improve network organization, and develop more integrated practices.