Doctor's appointments can be overwhelming and intimidating for ALL kids – and especially so for children with autism, cerebral palsy, ADHD, developmental disabilities, and other special needs or conditions.

However, there are things you can do to prepare your special needs child and ensure the check-up goes smoothly for everyone involved. 

 1) Book the appointment strategically. 

If it works with your schedule, request a day or time that is ‌quieter at your Pediatric Clinic. This reduces the likelihood that your Pediatrician will run behind or that your child will face unhelpful distractions.

While you are scheduling your appointment, ask the doctor or nurse to tell you what will happen in the appointment in as much detail as possible so you can adequately prepare your child. Ask them questions like…

• What procedures will you be doing?
• What equipment will you use? (like a stethoscope, blood pressure device, x-ray machine, etc.)
• What kinds of questions will you ask my child?

You'll also need to let your provider know if there are any specific accommodations your child will need for the day of the visit. If there is any paperwork for you to fill out, try to see if you can fill it out ahead of time either by printing it out at home or filling it out online. 

 2) Discuss what will happen (and include pictures). 

Once you have a good idea of the appointment details, it's time to bring your child into the conversation. As much as possible, use videos and images to show your child what to expect.

For example, if your child is going to get a vaccine, show them a video of a child receiving a vaccine and describe how that might feel in their arm.

Review the steps of the appointment in order, spending time to ask your child how they feel about each part of the visit. Ask your child to identify the easiest and hardest parts of the appointment, and work together to come up with ways to make the more challenging parts a little less scary.

Don't forget to discuss how the doctor's appointment will fit into your child's day. Many children with autism and other developmental disabilities cling to the predictability of their daily routine. Talking about the change of plans will help them adjust more easily. 

 3) Practice "doctor" at home. 

A fantastic way to help your special needs child become more familiar and comfortable with doctors, nurses, and medical equipment is to incorporate doctor's check-up practice into play time.

Take turns being the "doctor" and the "patient," using toy doctor's kits or makeshift "medical equipment" to rehearse the procedures your child should expect. Who knows? With all the practice, your child may even get EXCITED for the appointment.

 4) Set the scene ahead of time. 

If your child struggles to adapt to new settings, do what you can to ease them into the new environment gradually. Show them pictures of the clinic exterior and exam rooms. Drive over to the clinic to get your child familiar with everything from the parking lot to the building itself. Ask your doctor if it would be possible to have a walk-through tour of the facility several days before the appointment.

 5) Communicate your child's needs to your Pediatrician.

Every special needs child is different and has a unique set of fears, needs, and limitations. If your Pediatrician is still just getting to know your child, make sure you describe your child's tendencies and your concerns for the appointment prior to coming in. When you arrive for the visit, give the nurses and doctor a friendly reminder about these things.

A good Pediatric practice will do everything they can to accommodate your child's specific needs. But in order to receive such accommodation, clear communication is essential. 

 6) Come prepared with toys and reinforcements. 

Your child's favorite toys or games can provide a welcome comfort or distraction during a nerve-wracking appointment. Arrive early and give your kiddo a chance to grow accustomed to the environment with a little playtime in the waiting room. A comfort toy can especially come in handy if your child becomes overwhelmed during the appointment.

If you expect to visit with a doctor before the appointment, make sure you bring along a relative or friend to watch over your child while you step away for a moment. However, be sure to choose someone your child feels comfortable around.

 7) Give your child something to look forward to.

Make the doctor's appointment seem a little less scary by planning a fun activity as a reward for a successful visit. Show your kiddo just how proud you are by taking them out for ice cream, letting them pick out a new toy, or planning an evening at the beach.

 CAROLINA PEDIATRICS | WILMINGTON, NC

Need help planning for your child's next doctor's visit? Schedule an appointment and contact the Carolina Pediatrics team through our Patient Portal.