Strategies to improve the magnetic resonance imaging experience for autistic individuals: a cross-sectional study exploring parents and carers' experiences.

This study asked 16 UK parents about their experiences taking autistic children for MRI scans. Parents reported major problems including poor communication from staff, lack of preparation before scans, overwhelming noise and sensory issues, and staff who didn't understand autism. Parents suggested improvements like better communication, practice visits, quieter environments, autism training for staff, and more flexible approaches to help each child's individual needs.

This cross-sectional survey study explored experiences of 16 UK parents and carers regarding MRI scans for their autistic children. The study identified significant barriers including communication difficulties, inadequate pre-scan preparation, overwhelming sensory environments, and limited autism understanding among radiographers. Parents reported anxiety stemming from procedural uncertainties and insufficient adjustments during scans. Key recommendations included accessible communication strategies, pre-visit familiarisation opportunities, noise reduction adaptations, comprehensive staff autism training, and greater procedural flexibility.

The authors emphasised the need for individualised approaches, co-produced guidelines with the autism community, and enhanced radiographer education to improve MRI experiences and reduce barriers to healthcare access for autistic individuals.

Healthcare services should implement autism-specific training for radiography staff, develop pre-scan preparation protocols, create sensory-adapted environments, and establish individualised communication strategies. Co-production with autism community could standardise best practices and improve healthcare accessibility.

Very small sample size (16 participants) limits generalisability. Single country study may not reflect international practices. Cross-sectional design provides snapshot rather than longitudinal understanding. Parent perspectives only - lacks direct input from autistic individuals themselves.

Autistic individuals encounter numerous barriers in accessing healthcare, including communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, and a lack of appropriate adjustments. These issues are particularly acute during MRI scans, which involve confined spaces, loud noises, and the necessity to remain still. There remains no unified approach to preparing autistic individuals for MRI procedures. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with parents and carers of autistic individuals in the UK to explore their experiences, barriers, and recommendations concerning MRI scans.

The survey collected demographic information and experiential accounts of previous MRI procedures. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while key themes were identified within the qualitative data through inductive thematic analysis. Sixteen parents/carers participated. The majority reported difficulties with communication, inadequate pre-scan preparation, and insufficient adjustments during MRI scans for their autistic children.

Key barriers included an overwhelming sensory environment, radiographers' limited understanding of autism, and anxiety stemming from uncertainties about the procedure. Recommended improvements encompassed accessible communication, pre-visit familiarisation, noise-reduction and sensory adaptations, staff training on autism, and greater flexibility to meet individual needs. There is an urgent need to enhance MRI experiences for autistic individuals. This can be achieved through improved staff knowledge, effective communication strategies, thorough pre-scan preparation, and tailored reasonable adjustments.

Co-producing clear MRI guidelines with the autism community could standardise sensitive practices. An individualised approach is crucial for reducing anxiety and facilitating participation. Empowering radiographers through autism-specific education and incorporating insights from autistic individuals and their families could transform MRI experiences and outcomes.