| Would you like your child's visit to doctor to go more | | | | there any toys there? If so, what kind? If there are |
| smoothly? Children with autism see many specialists | | | | toys, are these the kind of toys that your child loves |
| and these doctor visits are often so trying for parents. | | | | so much that he will start a tantrum because of it? |
| Let's look at three tips for improved behavior in | | | | Just check out the waiting room environment. |
| doctor's offices. If you do all three, your child's doctor | | | | Remember, you intend to book the first appointment of |
| visits will go much more smoothly. | | | | the day anyway, so hopefully you won't be in the |
| 1. Get the first appointment of the day | | | | waiting room long. |
| The importance of this tip cannot be overstated. | | | | 3. Bring a reinforcer bag |
| Taking children with autism to the doctor in the middle | | | | Carefully pack a bag of reinforcer items that your child |
| of the day, or worse, in the late afternoon is a clear | | | | loves. If you can afford it, buy something new just for |
| recipe for disaster. This is because the doctor's staff | | | | this purpose. Some ideas include play-doh (yes, I know |
| generally overbooks the doctor to protect against | | | | they will try to eat it!) toys that light up and spin or |
| cancellations. This often causes doctors to "run behind" | | | | have soft music. Also, pack some snacks that are |
| by a half hour to an hour each day. Many doctors still | | | | winners with your child. There is usually a no- eating |
| do not know that children with autism have difficulty | | | | policy in doctor's offices, so keep the items very small. |
| waiting patiently. Hence, it is imperative that you obtain | | | | Finally, do not forget sensory comfort items. Some |
| the first appointment of the day for any type of | | | | ideas are soft clothing, a blanket, "chewy" type items |
| medical personnel interaction with children with autism. | | | | and handheld vibration items. It can get loud in there, so |
| 2. Visit the doctor's office without the child before the | | | | bring headphones or earplugs if your child likes them. |
| visit | | | | It is possible to get through doctor's visits much more |
| It is best to visit the doctor's office unaccompanied by | | | | smoothly, but it does require a little prior planning and |
| the child at least once prior to the visit. The purpose of | | | | preparation. |
| this is to check out the waiting room environment. Are | | | | |