International Journal of Nursing Research

Objective This study innovatively explored the use of IKAP model-based continuity of care by medical staff for families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to standardize and scientifically provide professional guidance to families of children with ASD, and explored the effectiveness of the model in promoting the support of services for families of children with ASD and improving the self-care ability of children with ASD. Methods From October 1, 2024, to April 1, 2025, 34 children with ASD who completed long-term systematic training in our hospital were selected. An intervention team consisting of rehabilitation therapists, nurses, and doctors adopted a self-controlled before-and-after study design and implemented continuous nursing care based on the IKAP model for the enrolled children through two home visits (1 month and 3 months after intervention). The "Self-designed Questionnaire on Parents' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Home Environment Setup and Self-care Ability of Children with Autism" was used to assess changes in parents' KAP scores before and after the intervention. The "Self-care Ability Assessment Scale" was employed to evaluate the children's self-care behaviors, with scores recorded before the intervention, 1 month after intervention, and 3 months after intervention to assess the intervention's effectiveness. Results Compared with pre-intervention levels, after receiving continuous nursing care based on the IKAP model from the medical team, the parents' KAP scores showed significant improvement (P<0.01), with statistically significant differences. The children's self-care ability scores gradually increased, showing slight improvement at 1 month post-intervention and marked enhancement at 3 months post-intervention (P<0.01), both with statistically significant differences. Conclusion The IKAP model enhances parents' ASD-related cognition and knowledge scores through phased health education and skill training, establishing a hospital-family linkage mechanism to translate theoretical awareness into caregiving practices. By addressing blind spots in home intervention through scenario repetition and behavior correction during regular follow-ups, this model significantly improves the self-care abilities of children with ASD, with effects demonstrating time-dependent progression. The study indicates that the 1–3 month period post-intervention constitutes a critical consolidation phase, during which home visit guidance by medical staff plays a vital role in early sustained family intervention, facilitating long-term home-based care continuity.

IKAP model; Continuous nursing care; Autism; Self-care ability