Episode
#319: Doctors and Autism: How to Prepare Children for Appointments Without Meltdowns
- Podcast
- Turn Autism Around
- Published
- Jun 24, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 1556
- Processing state
not_requested
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Summary
Dr. Mary Barbera discusses how doctor visits can be overwhelming for children with autism, but systematic desensitization can make a big difference. This simple approach uses gradual exposure and positive reinforcement to reduce fear and build cooperation—even for kids with past medical trauma. Start with pretend play, visual schedules, and breaking visits into small steps. For emergencies, prep a go-bag and summary sheet in advance. With the right tools and a little planning, you can reduce meltdowns and make medical visits more manageable.