Visiting a doctor and dentist at least twice a year or more is a part of living a healthy life. It is natural for some people with autism to have anxiety leading up to these crucial appointments. Medical and dental professionals don’t always understand that emotions may be high when they encounter patients with special needs. There are ways for patients with developmental delays to be proactive as well as handle the stress of these necessary appointments.
With much gratitude, my parents have strived relentlessly to get in contact with health professionals who would be understanding and patient with my sensitivities. In every appointment, I always ask my medical professionals to explain the procedures and inform me about the tools they are going to use when I first see them. Sometimes they will allow me to touch the instruments. Both play a big role in reducing the anxiety that kicks in. Doctors and dentists have given me valuable information that have supported me in doing commonly unappreciated tests.
Vaccines/Blood Tests
Vaccines and blood tests may sting when the needle touches your arm. Prior to the needle touch, the doctors generally put a little alcohol to disinfect the area of the procedure. It usually takes less than a minute for the blood to be drawn or the vaccine to be administered. A Band Aid will generally be applied where the test occurred. Vaccines are meant to potentially avoid sickness and other diseases as you age. Blood tests are usually done to check for sickness. My two ways of persevering with the injections are looking straight, and making a “determination face” like Kobe Bryant in the photo below. They help me remain steady.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
My dentist advised me to get my wisdom teeth removed. She said, “you don’t want to wait for the molars to push your teeth in a horizontal angle with your gums hovering them. The earlier you get your wisdom teeth removed, the more likely your mouth will heal quicker. If you wait too long, it will be much harder for them to come out and can hurt your face a lot more.” I got all four of my wisdom teeth removed following my junior year of high school. I was put to sleep during the procedure so that I didn’t feel anything. I didn’t wake up until twenty to thirty minutes after the stitches and numbing. Once I recovered from it, I felt very relieved I had gotten it done before going to college.
Having someone accompany you to your appointments is one of the best ways to handle the grind of necessary procedures. Explaining to the medical staff that you are on the autism spectrum can help them understand the way you might respond to certain processes and why you might ask a lot of questions. This is a step towards being a better self-advocate.
David Sharif 