ABA Therapy Tips for Taking Your Child with Autism to the Dentist
Taking Your Child With Autism to the Dentist
For any child, and even adults, a trip to the dentist can often be filled with anxiety, fear, and discomfort. For a child with autism especially, these feelings can be even further heightened by sensitivities to noise, smell, and touch. In order to make this experience better for both the child and family, Lighthouse Autism Center has compiled a list of ABA therapy tips to make taking your child with autism to the dentist just a little bit easier.
Below is a list of tips that are commonly used during ABA therapy that may help your child with autism during their next trip to the dentist:
Tip 1 – Prepare Your Child for the Visit
Be sure to talk about the visit for days or even weeks before it is going to happen. Show your child pictures of the dentist office and explain to them what kind of things will take place there (ie: “you will sit in a chair, a nice man or woman will ask you top open your mouth so they can look and touch your teeth. They want to make sure that your teeth are nice and healthy!”).
Tip 2 – Consider Visiting the Dentist Before Your Visit
If your dentist office will allow it, consider making one, two or however many visits it may take to get your child comfortable with the atmosphere. Show them the lobby, waiting area, and if available, even the room or seat they may use for the teeth cleaning. The more your child is exposed to the space, the more comfortable they will become.
Tip 3 – While You’re at the Dentist
Bring along a favorite toy, activity or treat so as your child is attempting and engaging in new experiences you can provide them with that item.
Tip 4 – Be Flexible
A trip to the dentist can be challenging for anyone. If your child begins to experience difficulty at the visit, or is visibly frustrated, scared or uncomfortable, understand that your child simply may not be ready or able to complete the visit that day, and that’s ok. You as a parent or caregiver know your child best!
Tip 5 – Consider Requesting A Therapist to Attend the Visit
For those children who receive aba therapy, some centers, like Lighthouse Autism Center, will send a therapist to help your family and child during the dental visit. They can serve as a helpful resource for you and your child by applying aba therapy techniques.
To learn more tips for parents of children with autism, visit: https://lighthouseautismcenter.com/parents-of-children-with-autism/tips/
Together, we can unlock your child’s potential
Related News
02/01/2023
Social Skills Deficits – Lighthouse Autism Center
Many autistic children struggle with social interactions due to social skills deficits. Read our blog to learn more about what social deficits are, how this can affect your autistic child’s life and the steps you can take to help them improve or overcome their social deficits. Understanding Social Skills Deficits in Autistic Children Many autistic […]
02/01/2023
Sensory Seeking vs Avoiding – Lighthouse Autism Center
Children with autism may struggle with sensory issues that lead to sensory seeking or sensory avoiding behavior. We explore these two types of behavior, their causes, the problems they may create and how they can both lead to sensory overload. Sensory Seeking vs Sensory Avoiding in Autistic Children Many autistic children have a variety of […]
02/01/2023
Sleep Tips For Children with Autism – Lighthouse Autism Center
There are many children who struggle with sleep issues that prevent them from getting a good night’s rest. We explore the ways that autism can impact a child’s sleep and provide tips to help you address them. Sleep Tips To Help Autistic Children There are many children on the autism spectrum who struggle with sleep […]
