How can I help my special needs child not to fear the doctor's office? Any one?

Question

How can I help my special needs child not to fear the doctor's office? Any one?

Answer 1

Take him/her for visits when they can just play. Ask professionals if the visit is really needed, can someone visit your home instead ? Make a picture book to let your child know where they are going and who they will see and what they will do. See if you can arrange to go at a quiet time so you do not have to wait. Hope things get easier, you sound like a lovely mum.

Answer 2

Take him/her by to visit.  Sometimes medical professionals will let you use a stethoscope and get weighed, etc. just to show that it doesn't have to be a traumatic thing.  After a while the child not only doesn't associate the visit with shots and poking/prodding, rather, it becomes a social visit.  Good Luck.

Answer 3

Schedule appointments for early in the day so the office is less crowded and noisy.

Make sure that there isn't unpleasantness every time you go. Maybe a reward after you get there and one after the appointment is over.

If your doctor wears a lab coat, buy one for home.  Wear it regularly enough so that your child doesn't see it as unusual or scary.

Borrow books or dvds from the library about children going to the doctor.

Answer 4

Let your child bring their favourite item with them and bring a snack with you to the doctors, they will be ok.

Answer 5

Help him/her get comfortable in the doctors office by giving him/her a small tour of it.

If this doesn't work buy one of those play doctor kits and go through the normal routine that most doctors do. This will help them adjust.

Hope this helps!