Southcentral Foundation - Benteh Nuutah Valley Native Primary Care Center

1. Use visual aids. You can use picture schedules, videos, social stories, and other visual aids to show your child what to expect.
2. Take your child for a practice visit. This can be the same as the orientation visit, or it can be a “dry run” of an appointment where the dentist doesn’t actually work on your child’s teeth yet.
3. Bring items to fulfill sensory needs. Bringing your child’s favorite fidgets and toys so they can play during the appointment will be helpful.
4. Reduce unnecessary stress before and after. Reduce demands by wearing comfortable clothes, getting lots of rest, eliminating unnecessary activities (like grocery shopping — order for pick up!), and doing the things that relax your child. Your child will be able to regulate better when every day stressors are kept at a minimum.

Visual aids can be a game-changer when it comes to preparing your child for new experiences. Create a social story or a visual schedule that explains what will happen during the eye exam. Include pictures or drawings to help them understand the process and what to expect. Going through the visual supports with your child beforehand can help ease anxiety and build familiarity.

Videos can also be a great tool to help prepare your child for what to expect during their eye exam. Here is a great example from the QuadSquad!

To help things go even smoother, review the visual aid of your choice with your child multiple times — a week before, a few days before, and then again the day before.