Helping Your Child with Autism Navigate Doctor Visits with Confidence

You know the level of routine your autistic child carries, and you try to keep the path smooth as they deal with their unique place on the autism spectrum. Necessary disruptions, like visiting the doctor, are challenges for your child and for you as well. 

Choosing autism specialists like the team at Dr 2 Kids, Smita Tandon MD in Fountain Valley, California, can help. We can help you prepare with a virtual appointment before your office visit, and we’ll welcome your child by letting them be themselves as they get used to this new situation. 

Preparing your child for doctor visits

Establishing a new routine requires effort and repetition. Limiting the surprise of the unexpected can often provide your autistic child with mental handrails with which to navigate. Consider some of the following strategies to decide which might work best with your child’s personality and tendencies. 

Introduce the caregivers

Show your child our website and, in particular, our Team Page. We have photos of Dr. Tandon and key office staff to start the familiarization process. Repeat this as necessary until your child establishes that these are some of the people they will encounter at the doctor’s office. 

Practice visits

Rather than making the appointment the first encounter, consider a ranked exposure to the doctor’s office. This could include steps like: 

• A short “hello” telehealth visit as a first introduction
• Parking in front of our office and pointing out the door you’ll enter
• On another stop at our office, come inside and say hello to our front desk staff
• Depending on your child’s comfort, repeat steps as needed

Every child has their own pace when building comfort and familiarity. The path between “new place” and “where we see the doctor” is different for everyone. 

Role play

A great way to moderate the element of surprise is role play in a safe location. Toy stethoscopes and other common medical tools can be introduced to check the health of a favorite stuffed toy. 

Check out books for children about visiting the doctor and use these as both edutainment and as a guide for examining the toy. Gradually turn the role of “doctor” from yourself to your child. When they’re familiar and comfortable with the process, ask them to examine themselves or to let you examine them. 

Reinforce relaxation skills

If you’ve already introduced deep breathing and visualization techniques with your child, review and reinforce these ahead of their appointment. Consider starting these if you feel your younger child is ready. 

Contact Dr 2 Kids, Smita Tandon MD to book an autism-friendly appointment for your child at our Fountain Valley office. Call or click to schedule your visit today.