When your child with autism needs to visit the doctor, it is natural to feel anxious about the unknown. Will they be comfortable? Will they have a meltdown? Some doctors may not fully understand the unique needs of individuals on the autism spectrum. Even so, the process of routine checks and examinations can be stressful for your child. However, with some careful planning and preparation, doctor’s visits can be manageable for both you and your child.

Communicate concerns with your child’s doctor

Try to find a doctor who has experience working with autistic patients and who is willing to make accommodations. Share any medical, emotional and behavioral concerns you or your child may have with the clinic.

Collaborating  with your child’s doctor before their appointment is the best way to ensure you are on the same page about your child’s needs. Email their doctor any questions you have ahead of time, and print them out so you have them on hand. Prior to their appointment, ask to learn the layout of the doctor’s office to build familiarity for your child or even do a practice run with them. When collaborating with the clinic, feel free to ask for accommodations that may make your child more comfortable.

Accommodations may include:
  • Requesting a text or phone call after checking in to notify you when the doctor is ready to see you. By requesting this, you may be able to avoid some of the unknowns and keep your child in a familiar place – for instance, the car – until their appointment.
  • Requesting a child life specialist. Child life specialists can help children through the stresses of medical procedures and hospital stays.
  • Asking if you can help with procedures. It may be beneficial to request this accommodation if your child is more comfortable with your touch than that of a nurse or doctor.
  • Asking to change the environment in the room. This may include dimming the lights, turning off the overhead music, specifying a specific procedure be done first or last, or anything else that may make your child feel more comfortable.

Also, when booking the appointment, consider your child’s best time of day and ask the clinic for their available appointment slots during that time window. Alternatively, choosing the first appointment slot of the day or the appointment slot directly following lunch can help cut down on potentially stressful wait times or pushbacks.

Prepare your child for their appointment

Once you work out any accommodations, questions or concerns with your child’s doctor, you can be better plan and prepare your child for their appointment. You can familiarize your child ahead of time by engaging in role-play with them, visually presenting them social stories or reading books to them.

Roleplaying is a great way to teach your child with autism some of the social skills that may occur during a doctor’s visit. Your child may benefit from being shown – rather than told – what the doctor may do, so consider using a toy stethoscope or other medical toys to play pretend. Roleplaying a visit can help reduce your child’s anxiety if they know what to expect and what others may expect from them.

Social stories are an autism intervention technique that visually explain specific social situations and how to navigate them. Using pictures and simple language, social stories make some potentially difficult situations predictable and give children with autism a sense of comfort. In addition to social stories, seek out books at the library that are illustrated about children going to the doctor. You can also make your own books using photos and drawings.

At their appointment

On the day of your child’s appointment, feel free to bring a bag of toys, fidgets or other distraction items that may come in handy during waiting times. Also, do not forget to bring any sensory modifications like sunglasses or noise-cancelling headphones to set your child up for success and make them feel more comfortable.

If any stressful or anxious moments arise, do calming exercises with your child to work them through their emotions. It is also crucial to give your child lots of praise for their successes.

You can further communicate your child’s needs to their medical team once at their appointment. If applicable, ask if you child can stand or sit during an exam depending on what is most comfortable to them. If your child is receiving a shot, ask for numbing cream to make it less painful.

Maxim’s ABA services

With a little planning, you can prepare your child with autism for a successful visit to the doctor. Maxim Healthcare Services provides ABA services to children on the autism spectrum. We use a flexible, empathy-based approach tailored to the needs of each child to assist them with adaptive skills, socialization and risk behavior. We are continually growing our footprint of ABA and autism-related service options nationwide. Reach out to your local Maxim office for more information on the ABA services available in your area.