Advanced nursing practice assessment: a case study from paediatric neurodisability

Abstract

Conducting a comprehensive, person-centred assessment is at the core of advanced nursing practice in paediatric neurodisability. The following paper uses a case study to highlight the comprehensive nature of a strengths-based assessment—underpinned by the biopsychosocial model—that is aligned to the neurodiversity paradigm. Autistic children can experience a range of co-occurring medical, mental health and other neurodevelopmental differences that require careful consideration during assessment to ensure that diagnostic overshadowing does not occur. Case formulation can provide an appropriate framework to identify individual strengths and needs to inform the development of appropriate supports for the person. The advanced nurse practitioner on a children's disability team is uniquely placed to go beyond diagnosis, and critically review all the assessment information to inform clinical decision-making and formulate interventions.