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** Higher functioning kids on the spectrum will probably freak out at the hospital just like other people who might be lower functioning, because of the tons of people, the noises, the unfamiliar things, etc. So many times doctors will say 'its just anxiety; see you can even tell by the way he/she is acting' No, wrong, if the child is complaining listen to them; autistic people can feel when something is wrong; they feel it the best. Of course they freak out in the hospital, it doesn't mean what they are feeling is then in their head. Hospital visits/doctors/dentists etc... can be a traumatic experience for any age person with autism. Many times, the doctors do an automatic restraint system on the autistic person without trying other methods because they are simply "not aware" of autism and what it does. A play “medical kit” may also be helpful. OR ones that look a little more similar to the "real" equipment, like this piece in a set: I'm very lucky because I have one of the best dentists! Be sure to check out your dentists  <Print this page off and give to your doctor when going to a visit; also if can be done before, preferable> ALSO.... Hospital visits can be traumatic for any age person with autism. Most of the time, people just autimatically restrain patients before trying other methods because they are simply not "AWARE" of autism and what it means. **sedation or general anesthesia may be recommended to make delivery of that required treatment possible in a safe and comfortable manner**---for more difficult procedures or treatments. The lower hemisphere is 30 X more sensitive to autistic people, so procedures in that area are TRAUMATIC. Autistic children/adults too, who are verbal or who may be nonverbal but are definitely able to understand things, use soft words to describe techniques used by doctors, as well as for other children who are typical: Blood Pressure Cuff: Give your arm a hug Stretcher: Bed with wheels Anesthesia: Sleepy Medicine ALSO... Autistic people view the medical equipment as extremely terrifying and painful, even a stethescope...autism/child friendly equipment on staff is also extremely beneficial and really does change the view to a person w/ autism, making the stay for everyone at the hospital a little less "loud and screaming, etc." EX: These even calm down the adults....It really usually isn't a matter of emberassing for a person on the spectrum because people on the spectrum have what others call "child like qualities" These would be interesting and make everything a little less intimidating; Autistic world is viewed much like an infant or young toddler. A person with autism should have a psychologist or child-life specialist working throughout their stay at a hospital, even if the autistic person is an adult--adult autistic people need the same sustenance as a child...ASK for ONE, also psychologists know autism and how to help...they work at the hospital. EX: When an eye is coved with a patch, the child may react very negatively. Small scale bribing is acceptable to calm the child so much that training or testing can be continued. In this situation we learn what is the child's near vision acuity with single symbols. One apsect of the role of a Child Life specialist is to teach young patients about medical procedures in order to make their hospital visit less stressful. Here, Cynthia Fitchpatrick, Child Life, uses the teaching doll to demonstrate to Children's Hospital patients what to expect during and after their surgery. EMT and FIRE-FIGHTERS (firefighters, use all these same suggestions and an extra tip for you, Tip 10. EMT's tip 10 is also one you can use although geared more towards firefighters. EMT & Firefighters: Tip 1: Autistic people will most likely be frightened of EMT because of the following: the vast majority of them at once, Visual-disillusion meaning being frightened of the specific clothing such as the pants that firefighter EMT's wear because they are baggy and blow in the wind (It is a dis-illusion, too much sensory input through autistic peoples eyes) Tip 2: When you are asking what is wrong with the person who has autism spectrum disorder, be sure to use a quiet voice, sometimes talk very little and when you do talk use a Robotic (human but a little robotic), singsong tone of voice (rise and fall of the voice pitch: (sngsông, -sng)) which is soothing to autistic people for they are very hightened to repetition, etc. Also, sound like you aren't really worried, just non-challant. Tip 3: Also, when asking what is wrong, point to the different body parts when asking, so the autistic person can respond, it is visually helpful because when autistic people get really upset and worried, they can literally almost forget words or forget what is wrong with them. Tip 3 1/2: When using thermometers, spirometers, any equipment have another EMT doing it to their partner so Autistic person sees they aren't going to hurt them. Tip 4: Also, when ok to do so, talk to each other about everyday things so as to relieve tension. Tip 5: Always carry something, like a glitter wand, or a distractor; this will calm the person down. Tip 5 1/2: If putting in IV, try to NOT put in middle of arm, commonly used place as that place is EXTREMELY sensitive in autistic people; other places on the arm like side of wrist sometimes will not feel really anything...good way to go. ALSO: This product is great so there is not all the re-poking and pushing, etc. Tip 6: When the person gets to the hospital, immediately tell the doctors they need a psychologist on staff and stay with the autistic person for a few minutes while they are getting settled it...it will make them feel safer and get a sense of things being the same. Tip 7: Either light or deep massage helps a lot! Tip 8: The sound of the fire engines or ambulance or police cars are very loud and overwhelming to an autistic persons' senses. Carry along cotton/earplugs so can place in the persons' ears so the sound is not so overwhelming. Tip 9: Be patient, also, if they are stimming, like making noise, it actually is good for them as it vibrates the inner ear creating balanced autonomic reflexes in the brain to coordinate balance and self-regulation...don't be alarmed. Tip 10: Firefighters, the person with autism may not want to come out from under bed if smoke etc. because of the alarm and everything looks different. Also have cotton and autistic people will also be afraid of the attire that firefighters wear. You too also have something distracting along in your pocket. Use all suggestions above... Talk to ur local fire dept., even EMT's about your autistic child and possible practice run through programs... |
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