School Nurses as Equity Leaders: Addressing Autism and Social Drivers of Health in Schools
We are honored to present at NASN 2026 on Monday, June 29, 2026, from 1:00–2:15 PM. Our topic reflects both our professional roles and daily lived experience as school nurses working with a large group of students on the Autism Spectrum. This work has shaped how we understand equity—not as a theory, but as a responsibility: one student, one family, and one barrier at a time.
Because of the continued rise in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), school nurses are increasingly called upon to address not only clinical needs, but also the social drivers of health (SDOH) that influence identification, access to services, and long-term outcomes.
As school nurses, we see firsthand how autism intersects with factors such as limited access to healthcare, language differences, transportation challenges, food insecurity, and caregiver stress. These realities directly affect how students engage, learn, and thrive in school.
School nurses are often the quiet constant in a complex system. We notice patterns, connect the dots, and build trust—especially with families who may feel overwhelmed or unseen. This places us in a unique position to serve as equity leaders, advocating for culturally responsive care and collaboration across disciplines.
During this session, we will share practical strategies grounded in real school-based practice including working closely with families, using data to guide advocacy, and building partnerships beyond the school. We will also explore how aligning nursing practice with frameworks such as the CDC’s Social Determinants of Health can strengthen supports for autistic students
(https://www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants).
Participants will leave with actionable tools and renewed confidence in their leadership role—whether supporting students with complex needs, contributing to IEP teams, or influencing school-wide systems.
We look forward to connecting with colleagues who share a commitment to advancing inclusive, responsive school health at NASN 2026.
Helpful resources:
• CDC – autism spectrum disorder: https://www.cdc.gov/autism
• NASN – Equity and School Health: https://www.nasn.org
Elise Edjang, PhD, BSN, RN
Traci Jones PhD, RN, NCSN