How Patient Advocates Can Help You Navigate Healthcare For Your Child With Autism
The main goal of a patient advocate to provide patients with the support and education they need in order to make informed decisions regarding healthcare.
Multiple therapies and healthcare treatments are offered to families of children with autism, and it can be difficult to keep track and effectively navigate these options to best help your child.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental diagnosis that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. It is estimated that 1 in 44 children in the United States have ASD, and it is more commonly diagnosed in boys than girls. The diagnosis of ASD can be overwhelming for parents, and navigating the healthcare system and available therapies can be challenging. That's where patient advocates can help.
A patient advocate is a trained professional who helps patients and their families navigate the healthcare system. Patient advocates come from a variety of backgrounds but often have personal and/or professional experience in particular areas of healthcare. They act as a liaison between patients, their families, and healthcare providers. Patient advocates can help patients understand their diagnoses, explore treatment options, and assist with insurance and billing issues. Patient advocates can provide education on diagnoses, available treatment options, and how to best communicate with providers. They can also provide decision support with regards to selecting appropriate therapies and interventions.
Patient advocates can provide communication support to patients and their families. They can help patients communicate with their healthcare providers and ensure that the patient’s wishes are respected by helping to prepare questions and emphasizing informed consent. Patient advocates can be especially helpful in situations where patients are dealing with complex medical issues or navigating a new diagnosis. They can help to explain complex concepts in easily understandable terms. Appointment attendance is also offered to offer support in the moment when speaking with providers.
Care coordination is another service offered by patient advocates. This involves establishing communication with all providers involved with a patient’s care and ensuring that all providers are working together to help ensure better outcomes. A patient’s care can be negatively effected if their providers are not on the same page. Patient advocates can also review documentation from providers. A health history can be developed that consolidates all the patient’s healthcare history in one document that can be shared with providers.
There are many benefits to working with a patient advocate when navigating the healthcare system for a child with autism. Some of these benefits include:
Improved Communication: Patient advocates can help facilitate communication between parents and healthcare providers. This can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and working together towards the best possible outcome for the child.
Reduced Stress: The healthcare system can be overwhelming and stressful, especially when dealing with a complex diagnosis like autism. Patient advocates can help reduce this stress by providing support and guidance throughout the process.
Access to Resources: Patient advocates can research and identify community resources based on the patient’s needs. These resources could include new providers, alternate treatment options, support groups, social groups, educational resources, and more.
Empowerment: Working with a patient advocate can help parents feel empowered and in control of their child's healthcare. Patient advocates can help parents understand their rights and make informed decisions.
Navigating the healthcare system and available therapies for a child with autism can be challenging for parents. Patient advocates can provide valuable support and guidance throughout the process. If you think a patient advocate could be a good fit for you, schedule a discovery call today!
