Autism, doctors and dentists OH MY

My youngest daughter was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in June 2011. She was almost 4.

If you have had experience with this disorder you understand just how....interesting it can be.

M has sensory issues, a common trait amongst people with Autism. Hers are oral. Yup Oral sensory issues... This means she will only eat certain foods, drink certain drinks and well, we have just recently established a somewhat scheduled tooth brushing regiment.

She now has cavities. Tooth decay on her bottom molars. Now go ahead and judge if you will, frankly I welcome it. Walk a mile in my shoes before the diagnosis when I was living on 2 hours of sleep, constantly dealing with screaming frustrated child who couldnt communicate and feeling like I was the one that was in need of professional help, then..THEN you can have your opinion heard, until then this is MY story.

M has whitecoat syndrome. She is afraid of ANY doctor, ANY nurse and ANY Technician in scrubs or labcoats. I panic when shes sick...all out anxiety, She's only 5, as strong as a 250lb 6'3" Quarterback and her screams...oh her screams. Im constantly handing out my " my child isnt misbehaving, she has autism" business cards. I get all the tsks, eyerolls and sighs from EVERYONE in clinics. Frankly, its so damned deflating.

Anyhoo, for months I have been looking for a "gentle dentist". When I mention autism they act like she has 4 fricken heads and a chainsaw for a mouth. As soon as I hear the receptionist pause, I know I am NOT going to THAT clinic.

Finally, last Friday I found a dental clinic. I emailed them for an appointment (as that is how it is done with this specific clinic), and within 2 days they booked me an appointment with a pedodontist this coming Monday. I am SO nervous. Not about the work she will need, as I know there is lots of work to come...but I am nervous about the whitecoats.

This weekend I will be printing social stories about trips to the dentist and I will definitely be calling them tomorrow to remind them abput her fear.

Until M can communicate better with us, and have her comprehension level grow, my anxiety should settle, but until then I am a paranoid mama bear who has to cope with autism. Good and bad. Screams, tears, hugs and kisses.

Next time you see a frazzled parent at the grocery store, clinic or in a car and the child is boneless, screaming, crying, shaking, instead of tsking, giving a dirty look or sighing loud enough to offend please PLEASE remember 1 in 88 children are Diagnosed with autism and there is a chance you are witnessing a breakdown of communication or over stimulization. Let the parent know they are doing a good job. Sometimes we need to hear that from total strangers.