Re: Dental Appointments .. UGH

[Guest guest]

I can't say enough how helpful it was to have a dentist who allowed us to make many " sensory visits. " Andy is still too frightened to sit in the actual chair, but this guy did a good job of getting to know Andy in the short little visits. The only thing he asked was that we come after the clinic was done seeing patients so he didn't have to pay his staff for the time. Interestingly, they all volunteered to stay each time we came! 

There's a dentist in Canada who spoke attended a meeting I went to. He and I got to talking. He sets his entire practice up so that the visit is done in spurts with sensory breaks. It was brilliant sounding. I still want to visit there. He completely understood how invasive dentistry is and that kids with sensory and communication issues would need more time to take it all in and deal with the sensory onslaught of the situation. 

Once it's a traumatic expereince it takes longer to get over that before going forward, too. That's why Andy won't sit in the chair. But he does a great job with Andy in his own chair or my lap. He gets on the floor and everything. It's great. See i fyou can set something like that up with your dentist.

We still have issues with x-rays - but *I* have issues with x-rays!   I used to get them done when Andy had tubes done for his ears. fwiwJoan

Joan Guthrie Medlen, MEd, RD

DownSyndromeNutrition.com

twitter: @jmedlen

 

Didn't think of the pressure but that might help.  We haven't even attempted xrays ...

Bethany DiLulloHe's non-verbal and probably at a 2YO level -- he also has a swallowing disorder so I don't know how much is panic because some fluid

may be going down his throat even though they keep a suctioner right there and don't use water unless they have the suctioner in his mouth beforehand.

[Guest guest]

Well tomorrow is a haircut -- wish us luck :)Bethany DiLulloHe's non-verbal and probably at a 2YO level -- he also has a swallowing disorder so I don't know how much is panic because some fluid

may be going down his throat even though they keep a suctioner right there and don't use water unless they have the suctioner in his mouth beforehand.

[Guest guest]

How good to know how much this group understands. Zoe has a difficult time with both dentists and haircuts. Thanks, all, for sharing!Virginia

Well tomorrow is a haircut -- wish us luck :)Bethany DiLulloHe's non-verbal and probably at a 2YO level -- he also has a swallowing disorder so I don't know how much is panic because some fluid

may be going down his throat even though they keep a suctioner right there and don't use water unless they have the suctioner in his mouth beforehand.

=

[Guest guest]

Can't help but ask what measures are taken for a haircut?

We used to have difficulty with haircuts, but with age, it got better.

>

> He's non-verbal and probably at a 2YO level -- he also has a

> swallowing disorder so I don't know how much is panic because some fluid

> may be going down his throat even though they keep a suctioner right

> there and don't use water unless they have the suctioner in his mouth

> beforehand.

>

[Guest guest]

Personally.....We have the amazing Kay cut Andy's hair. And mine and REx's and 's. I was her first " real " haircut when she was just out of high school and I was a senior. She's been cutting my hair all that time!

We have built community there. They've known us forever. Kay has two nephews with disabilities about Andy's age, too. It's all about the relationship and feeling safe. So though we did not have to work on this, the issue is repeated exposure, friendly people, people who are willing to make some accommodations when needed. We've cut andy's hair in the car before....that was an emergency (we were headed to CA on short notice to see Rex's Aunt before she died and couldn't bring him without a haircut). It was christmas time and the shop was packed.

And that is one of Andy's triggers. Crowds. So we go on Monday afternoons when few people are working at the shop - often no one. Andy has the r un of hte place and the owner loves it. The game we play is to see if andy notices any changes. And yes, he notices each and every one!  

Just as with ANYTHING - dentist, doctor, hair cut, support in teh community, and so on - creating a safe environment and having trustworthy people involved is the essence of success. 

I suggest, , that it may have gotten better for your child due to repeated exposure, proper positive support, and a positive experience and environment. How we do things, how we present them, the attitude in the environments we create are as important as anything else we do for our kids - all our kids - regardless of disability.

Joan

Joan Guthrie Medlen, MEd, RD

DownSyndromeNutrition.com

twitter: @jmedlen

 

Can't help but ask what measures are taken for a haircut?

We used to have difficulty with haircuts, but with age, it got better.

>

> He's non-verbal and probably at a 2YO level -- he also has a

> swallowing disorder so I don't know how much is panic because some fluid

> may be going down his throat even though they keep a suctioner right

> there and don't use water unless they have the suctioner in his mouth

> beforehand.

>

[Guest guest]

Elie occasionally goes to the barber - mostly he is cut at home with a soft sounding buzzer.But years ago when we tried the barber, he had to have a mirror to hod in one hand and someone to hold his other hand.  And they had to be FAST>  And no perfumes or lotions or liquids.  He did and does allow the 'wiz it off' to get rid of the hair.  But he still has trouble and will only occasionally agree - and even more rare - ask- to get his hair cut.  We keep it pretty short to lessen the trauma.  

 

Personally.....We have the amazing Kay cut Andy's hair. And mine and REx's and 's. I was her first " real " haircut when she was just out of high school and I was a senior. She's been cutting my hair all that time!

We have built community there. They've known us forever. Kay has two nephews with disabilities about Andy's age, too. It's all about the relationship and feeling safe. So though we did not have to work on this, the issue is repeated exposure, friendly people, people who are willing to make some accommodations when needed. We've cut andy's hair in the car before....that was an emergency (we were headed to CA on short notice to see Rex's Aunt before she died and couldn't bring him without a haircut). It was christmas time and the shop was packed.

And that is one of Andy's triggers. Crowds. So we go on Monday afternoons when few people are working at the shop - often no one. Andy has the r un of hte place and the owner loves it. The game we play is to see if andy notices any changes. And yes, he notices each and every one!  

Just as with ANYTHING - dentist, doctor, hair cut, support in teh community, and so on - creating a safe environment and having trustworthy people involved is the essence of success. 

I suggest, , that it may have gotten better for your child due to repeated exposure, proper positive support, and a positive experience and environment. How we do things, how we present them, the attitude in the environments we create are as important as anything else we do for our kids - all our kids - regardless of disability.

Joan

Joan Guthrie Medlen, MEd, RD

DownSyndromeNutrition.com

twitter: @jmedlen

 

Can't help but ask what measures are taken for a haircut?

We used to have difficulty with haircuts, but with age, it got better.

>

> He's non-verbal and probably at a 2YO level -- he also has a

> swallowing disorder so I don't know how much is panic because some fluid

> may be going down his throat even though they keep a suctioner right

> there and don't use water unless they have the suctioner in his mouth

> beforehand.

>

-- Sara- different pathways lead to Nirvana.

[Guest guest]

In our case, (6, T21/ASD) just follows along because he wants to be like his brothers. They all go together. DH, Annika and I sometimes join them. We do have to hold his head for some parts of the cut because he squirms, but he sits nicely and never cries or fusses. We always go to the same place but he gets a different stylist depending on who's there. Honestly, we've had more trouble with squirmy (8, Asperger's ADHD) who is short enough to need a booster but not able to sit still on a cushion that rocks so invitingly...one very stern, rigid stylist "quit" halfway through but another lady stepped right in and handled him beautifully. We got an apology from the manager for that one!Sent from my iPhone

Personally.....We have the amazing Kay cut Andy's hair. And mine and REx's and 's. I was her first "real" haircut when she was just out of high school and I was a senior. She's been cutting my hair all that time!

We have built community there. They've known us forever. Kay has two nephews with disabilities about Andy's age, too. It's all about the relationship and feeling safe. So though we did not have to work on this, the issue is repeated exposure, friendly people, people who are willing to make some accommodations when needed. We've cut andy's hair in the car before....that was an emergency (we were headed to CA on short notice to see Rex's Aunt before she died and couldn't bring him without a haircut). It was christmas time and the shop was packed.

And that is one of Andy's triggers. Crowds. So we go on Monday afternoons when few people are working at the shop - often no one. Andy has the r un of hte place and the owner loves it. The game we play is to see if andy notices any changes. And yes, he notices each and every one!

Just as with ANYTHING - dentist, doctor, hair cut, support in teh community, and so on - creating a safe environment and having trustworthy people involved is the essence of success.

I suggest, , that it may have gotten better for your child due to repeated exposure, proper positive support, and a positive experience and environment. How we do things, how we present them, the attitude in the environments we create are as important as anything else we do for our kids - all our kids - regardless of disability.

Joan

Joan Guthrie Medlen, MEd, RD

DownSyndromeNutrition.com

twitter: @jmedlen

Can't help but ask what measures are taken for a haircut?

We used to have difficulty with haircuts, but with age, it got better.

>

> He's non-verbal and probably at a 2YO level -- he also has a

> swallowing disorder so I don't know how much is panic because some fluid

> may be going down his throat even though they keep a suctioner right

> there and don't use water unless they have the suctioner in his mouth

> beforehand.

>

[Guest guest]

We take him early early Sunday when nobody else is there and we let him acclimate for awhile when we get there. Now this past Sunday is the first time we've tried the clippers -- the stylist has done his hair several times before and is super! He hates people touching his face, head, anything so its always a challenge but with the clippers I didn't worry about him getting cut or the stylist. Honestly he is very "bendy" due to his low muscle tone and he can wriggle out of any situation like Houdini! He actually handled it fairly well for him and no broken blood vessels which is what I judge by. So clippers it is -- and its something I can probably do at home and it might go easier on him. Its all acclimation is right -- IDK what he remembers from visit to visit but since his hair doesn't grow fast its

not like he has to do it every month. If I keep up with it at home, then we won't have to take him to a shop -- We're just now, at 8YO, able to clip his nails without him freaking out so progress .. slow but progress!Bethany DiLullo

Can't help but ask what measures are taken for a haircut?

We used to have difficulty with haircuts, but with age, it got better.

>

> He's non-verbal and probably at a 2YO level -- he also has a

> swallowing disorder so I don't know how much is panic because some fluid

> may be going down his throat even though they keep a suctioner right

> there and don't use water unless they have the suctioner in his mouth

> beforehand.

>