Practical suggestions for the perioperative care of the developmentally disabled child.

An open, communicative, child-oriented staff that is skilled in dealing with the needs of pediatric surgical patients will have no difficulty making a few adaptations for developmentally disabled children. It is important to know the child's developmental level, coping styles, language development, and ability to understand verbal communication. Parents or caregivers can play an integral role in the development of a successful plan of care for the pediatric patient. Establishing good rapport with these significant individuals allows the nurse to gain insight into the affective behaviors of the child.