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Dentist Tips for Aspergers and HFA Children

Children with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism (HFA) have the same rate of dental problems as the general population. As hard as it is for most children to go to the dentist, it’s even harder to have a positive dental experience for kids on the autism spectrum. Even so, there are some things you can do to improve the dental experience for your child.

Click here for some tips (some will work and some won't, but everything here is worth a try)...

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Same thing here. It has to do with the sensory issue, more than any fear.

Anonymous said...

My son for the first time was 9 when he finally went and that's is his obsession with not losing his teeth.

Anonymous said...

One thing I WILL not do is take my son to a dentist who uses physical restraints. I'd rather my son miss an appt than be scared half to death by a dentist who uses those papoose boards! Luckily my dentist doesn't at least to my knowledge. I always go in with my son. I've heard a lot about these devices lately.

Anonymous said...

I used music. My son has to have a Zune with Toby Keith playing and he is great!

Anonymous said...

Please let parents know to always stay w/their children at all Dr. visits. Our children are very misunderstood and are sometimes considered defiant or difficult but we all know that is not true. I finally found a special needs pediatric dentist. It was costly but worth it!

Anonymous said...

From the article: "Some Aspergers children respond well to being lightly wrapped in a small blanket during the examination..."

The American Dental Association (ADA) notes that the AAPD guidelines state when stabilization is used, it should always be the least restrictive, but safe and effective. In addition, parental permission must be obtained prior to using a papoose board and noted in the child’s dental record along with the length of time the papoose board was used and how the child behaved during its use. AAPD indicates that the use of a papoose board might be indicated when: (a) patients require immediate diagnosis and/or limited treatment and cannot cooperate due to lack of maturity or mental or physical disability; (b) the safety of the patient, dental staff, or parent would be at risk; (c) movement of sedated patients needs to be reduced.

Unknown said...

Also, ask the dentist and hygienist to do the treatment and exams in a more upright position. Tipping the head back in a reclined position increases anxiety for many children with ASD due to the hyper responsivuty of the vestibular system.

Unknown said...

Also, ask the hygienist and dentist to do the treatment and exam in a more upright position. Being fully reclined with the head tipped back creates an autonomic nervous system response for many ASD kids due to the hyperesponsivity of the vestibular system. Try allowing the child to use the controls to tip himself back.

Kristin Brown Designs said...

My son wore sunglasses during the exam so the harsh lights weren't as bad - it helped!

Unknown said...

For about 30% of patients, the origin of their dental phobia dates back to childhood and is due to traumatic experiences during dental treatments !
I hate dentists :)

My child has been rejected by his peers, ridiculed and bullied !!!

Social rejection has devastating effects in many areas of functioning. Because the ASD child tends to internalize how others treat him, rejection damages self-esteem and often causes anxiety and depression. As the child feels worse about himself and becomes more anxious and depressed – he performs worse, socially and intellectually.

Click here to read the full article…

How to Prevent Meltdowns in Children on the Spectrum

Meltdowns are not a pretty sight. They are somewhat like overblown temper tantrums, but unlike tantrums, meltdowns can last anywhere from ten minutes to over an hour. When it starts, the Asperger's or HFA child is totally out-of-control. When it ends, both you and your child are totally exhausted. But... don’t breathe a sigh of relief yet. At the least provocation, for the remainder of that day -- and sometimes into the next - the meltdown can return in full force.

Click here for the full article...

Parenting Defiant Teens on the Spectrum

Although Aspergers [high-functioning autism] is at the milder end of the autism spectrum, the challenges parents face when disciplining a teenager on the spectrum are more difficult than they would be with an average teen. Complicated by defiant behavior, the teen is at risk for even greater difficulties on multiple levels – unless the parents’ disciplinary techniques are tailored to their child's special needs.

Click here to read the full article…

Older Teens and Young Adult Children with ASD Still Living At Home

Your older teenager or young “adult child” isn’t sure what to do, and he is asking you for money every few days. How do you cut the purse strings and teach him to be independent? Parents of teens with ASD face many problems that other parents do not. Time is running out for teaching their adolescent how to become an independent adult. As one mother put it, "There's so little time, yet so much left to do."

Click here to read the full article…

Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism

Two traits often found in kids with High-Functioning Autism are “mind-blindness” (i.e., the inability to predict the beliefs and intentions of others) and “alexithymia” (i.e., the inability to identify and interpret emotional signals in others). These two traits reduce the youngster’s ability to empathize with peers. As a result, he or she may be perceived by adults and other children as selfish, insensitive and uncaring.

Click here
to read the full article...

Highly Effective Research-Based Parenting Strategies for Children with Asperger's and HFA

Become an expert in helping your child cope with his or her “out-of-control” emotions, inability to make and keep friends, stress, anger, thinking errors, and resistance to change.

Click here for the full article...