Aspergers/HFA Children and Dental Appointments: 40 Tips for Parents
Taking your Aspergers (high functioning autistic) son or daughter to the dentist can be a difficult experience for both child and parent. Here are some helpful tips to effectively deal with dentist appointments: 1. Ask the dentist to lean the chair back before your child gets in it, because sometimes Aspergers and HFA children don’t like the feeling of being moved backwards. 2. Bring along a sibling or friend and let your child watch as the doctor or hygienist performs the task on them first. 3. Collaboration and teamwork are essential for a successful trip to the dentist. 4. Consider some physical exercise (e.g., riding a bike) to be done before and after the visit for calming. 5. Create and read a social story about going to the dentist with your child. The social story should take the uncertainty out of what will happen at the dentist office. 6. Deep pressure can be used before and during the visit for calming. 7. Dentists should review your youngster’s