🪥 Why Dentist Visits Are Extra Tricky for Autistic Kids
Loud tools, bright lights, unfamiliar people—visiting the dentist can be overwhelming for many kids, and especially for those with autism.
But with preparation, visuals, and repetition, we can help kids walk into the office feeling more in control—and maybe even leave with a smile.
✅ Here’s What Helps:
1. Pre-teach the experience with a visual story
Our Going to the Dentist lesson walks kids through what to expect, step-by-step.
It includes visuals like:
• Sit in the chair
• Open your mouth
• Try to stay still
• Use a calm-down strategy if you need it
🎥 Explore our dentist social story and activities here
2. Use pretend play or role-play at home
Practice sitting in a chair, opening wide, or pretending to count teeth with a mirror and toothbrush.
3. Bring calming tools
Noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, or a weighted lap pad can reduce sensory overload in the waiting room and chair.
💙 Final Thoughts
A dentist visit doesn’t have to be a meltdown moment.
With clear visuals, trusted tools, and small moments of practice, we can help autistic kids feel more prepared—and even proud of themselves—after every check-up.
✨ Try our Going to the Dentist visual story and quiz to start prepping today.
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