dentisits-Joan/haircuts

[Guest guest]

Hi, Everyone....Joan...we, too, found a dentist, when we moved to CA, that allowed kids to come into the office, and just, ever soooooooooo slooowwwlllllyyyy work up their way into the chair, opening their mouths, and allowing the dentist to look in. I think he did it every Friday afternoon for an hour....allowing all kids with *issues* to come in and gain his trust. That is how we finally got Gareth into a dentist chair.....after a coupel of months of Friday afternoon visits. I refused to papoose Gareth and I refused to allow someone to take him back without me. That sent up red flags right there!!!

As for haircuts....there were many years that I would let Gareth fall asleep, go into the room with a small lamp, and slowly clip away at his hair. I focused on the front and sides first night, and then, worked on the rest the next night. I never got too concerned about getting the back finished but didn't like it long in the front and on the sides. After that period, There were YEARS when Gareth had loooooonnnnggg hair.....hippy style, but cleaned. He was old enough to express his feelings and I abided. That eventually turned into short hair, with a foot long rat tail, that he used for his own self stim. Kinda like a girl twisting her hair!!! Nowadays, he's back to wanting long hair and I just cut enough to keep it out of his eyes. Maybe, once a year, he will allow me to trim it up.

Cutting toenails and fingernails, at night while he was sleeping, wwas also a tradition for many years.

Take care, Everyone.

Margaret

Mom to Gareth, 23 y/o, DS/ASD/OCD

[Guest guest]

I cut Ben's hair in the shower, while he is sitting in the tub...but he's 16,

not 23. I just run my fingers through and cut off what sticks out between. It

actually turns out pretty good. I have to be careful to not let him

see/hear/feel the scissors, though.

On teeth, we do them in the hospital, and coordinate with other Drs. for

blood-draws, ears, ect. to be done at the same time.

Ann