Registered nurses' awareness and implementation of reasonable adjustments for people with intellectual disability and/or autism.

Abstract

To describe Australian registered nurses' awareness, and implementation of reasonable adjustments within their practice when caring for people with intellectual disability and/or autism. Additionally, the association between key demographic, workforce, and respondent variables and familiarity of the term and regularity of use was explored. Cross-sectional survey. Survey data were collected between August and October 2020 using an online survey tool. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Familiarity of the concept of reasonable adjustments was relatively low, compared to respondents who report applying adjustments when caring for people with intellectual disability and/or autism. Higher levels of confidence, comfort, and knowledge when caring for this cohort were associated with greater awareness and application of reasonable adjustments. A higher volume, and diversity in type of, nursing education related to care for people with intellectual disability and/or autism is indicated.