Preparing Your Neurodivergent Child for a Dentist Visit

January 30, 2025

Dental visits can be overwhelming for neurodivergent children, especially those with sensory  sensitivities, anxiety, or difficulties with routine changes. A neuroaffirmative approach, one that  respects and accommodates individual sensory and cognitive needs can help create a more positive  experience. 

Creating Predictability through Preparation 

Predictability reduces anxiety for many neurodivergent individuals (Gray, 2015). Talking about  the visit in advance using social stories, visual schedules, or role-playing can provide a sense of  control. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) suggests that gradual exposure to  the dental environment, such as watching videos or visiting the office before an appointment, can  enhance comfort and cooperation (AAPD, 2023). 

Honoring Sensory Needs 

The sensory environment of a dental clinic such as bright lights, loud equipment, and unfamiliar  textures can be overwhelming. Research shows that many autistic children experience sensory  hypersensitivity, making these stimuli difficult to process (Baranek et al., 2006). A sensory friendly dentist may offer dim lighting, noise-canceling headphones, weighted blankets, or a quiet  waiting area to help with regulation (Sharma et al., 2021). Allowing the child to use sunglasses,  listen to music, or hold a fidget toy can also provide comfort. 

Supporting Autonomy and Self-Advocacy 

Empowering children with choices fosters a sense of control, which is crucial for reducing anxiety  (Kupzyk & Allen, 2019). Offering options such as selecting toothpaste flavors, choosing a favorite  toy to bring, or using a hand signal for breaks encourages self-advocacy (AAPD, 2023). Research  suggests that when children feel heard and supported, they are more likely to cooperate and feel  safe during medical procedures (Mayer-Brown et al., 2020).

Incorporating Comfort and Regulation Strategies 

Bringing comfort items, such as a weighted lap pad or favorite stuffed toy, can provide a sense of  security. Deep-pressure input, movement breaks, or breathing exercises before and after the visit  may also help with emotional regulation (Bogdashina, 2016). Instead of forcing compliance,  allowing the children to regulate in their own way fosters a more positive and neuroaffirmative  experience. 

Using Strength-Based Reinforcement 

Positive reinforcement should be child-centered and focus on effort rather than compliance.  Instead of pressuring a child to "sit still," praise their self-regulation efforts with affirming  language like, “I love how you took deep breaths when you were feeling unsure” (Dawson &  Guare, 2018). Rewards should be meaningful to the child, whether that is extra playtime, a  preferred activity, or verbal encouragement. 

By embracing a neurodiversity-affirming approach, dental visits can shift from being stressful to  empowering. Creating a predictable, sensory-friendly, and autonomy-supportive environment  helps ensure that neurodivergent children feel respected, safe, and in control of their experience. 

References:

∙ American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). (2023). Tips for Preparing Children  for Dental Visits. Retrieved from AAPD official guidelines. 

∙ Baranek, G. T., David, F. J., Poe, M. D., Stone, W. L., & Watson, L. R. (2006). Sensory  experiences questionnaire: Discriminating sensory features in young children with autism,  developmental delays, and typical development. Journal of Child Psychology and  Psychiatry, 47(6), 591-601. 

∙ Gray, C. (2015). The New Social Story Book. Future Horizons. 

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