#319: Doctors and Autism: How to Prepare Children for Appointments Without Meltdowns

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.

Om Podcasten

Dr. Mary Barbera, RN, doctoral-level behavior analyst, best-selling author, and online course creator discusses autism and speech delays from several different angles for both parents as well as medical, educational, and behavioral professionals. Learn more at www.marybarbera.com. Each week we discuss Mary’s 4-step proven approach to tackle common parenting struggles including how to improve talking, reduce tantrums, and improve picky eating, sleeping, potty training and so much more for kids with and without autism! Topics also include what to do when a toddler is delayed and how to identify the earliest signs of autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or even giftedness! And what to do if your child is diagnosed or requires early intervention or ABA therapy. So, whether you're a parent of a child or a professional such as a behavior analyst, nurse, physician, speech pathologist, or teacher, you’re going to want to listen and subscribe!