My ASD Child

"My  son would rather have a mouth full of cavities - and the pain that goes with it - than go to the dentist. Are there ways to help a child with high functioning autism to become less fearful of dental work?" Young people with ASD level 1, or High-Functioning Autism, have the same rate of dental problems as the general population. As hard as it is for most kids 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. Below are some tips. Some will work - some won't. But everything here is worth a try: Visit the dentist’s office before an actual visit. Have the child touch the equipment. Explain to the child what will happen. Have the child bring a comfort item like a favorite toy or blanket. It is a good idea to have a gradual and slow exposure  to the environment of the dental office so your child doesn’t g