The crocodile, with cunning smile, sat in the dentist’s chair.
He said, “Right here and everywhere my teeth require repair.”
The dentist’s face was turning white. He quivered, quaked and shook.
He muttered, “I suppose I’m going to have to take a look.”
- By Roald Dahl
So a behavior therapist, a behavior analyst, and an autistic kid walk into a dentist office ...
Sounds like a good lead up to a pretty funny joke. And one day I might actually get around to writing the punch line for it. But for now I will keep you in suspense.
Today was Day One of the Quest for a Serene Dental Visit starring ours truly the one and only ZMan and the Exquisite and Noble Ms Alicia, dental hygienist by day, and autism versed Mom and sister, and just all around good gal by night.
When I first became aware of the Exquisite and Noble Ms. Alicia, I saw an extra spark that you see every once in awhile from one of the many all around amazing moms with kids with autism. She is someone who has a passion for trying to sprinkle their magic pixie dust to help create much needed resources and programming for this under-served population. When I found out she was a dental hygienistm I became star-struck (in this world, the range of people who exhilarate me are no longer the celebrities, the uber-commerically-succesful, the head-turners but rather anyone with an ability and/or willingness to make things possible for people like my Beautiful Boy); could there every be a chance that she could one day help with our saga of attempting to get Zach's anxiety managed for a dental visit that didn't involve hives, sweat and tears (some his, some mine, some both) and lest us not forget the "papoose" (a softer, gentler termfor a type of restraint used by various health practitioners that work with the population who struggle with challenging behaviors at such visits).
Well, indeed the Exquisite and Noble Ms. Alicia did just that, she on her own came up with the idea for a program, proposed it to her receptive boss, the all together good gal herself Dr. Stephanie Cavallaro, and a program was born, and ZMan's momma got on the horn immediately and said "yes please" fervently trying to contain the nervous excitement of the prospect of getting BoyWonder out of that dang "papoose". The program caught the ear of a local TV station who aired this segment on Spectrum News
Now today was Day One, and after a consultation with the Board Certified Behavior Analyst who runs Zach's programming, we collectively decided to target the following goal as an iteration towards the ultimate goal of a getting his teeth cleaned and checked without sweat, without tears, without hives, and most of all without that blasted "papoose": 2 minutes sitting in the dental chair.
So first off, SirRefusesALot readily exited the vehicle and walked right into the dental office (seen only through a social story up until that point made by the Exquisite and Noble Ms. Alicia). On the way into his exam room he definitely ceased the opportunity to make sure that container of pens made sure to lose altitude by approximately 3 feet; nothing like a little dumping behavior to lighten the mood... and looked around the room for whatever other items could be promptly and decisively brought to a lower destination through a quick turn of his hand. I like to think of these moments as opportunities to check your assuredness or preparedness: stress testing a la ZMan. If you are a TypeA personality - I guarantee you he will readily break you of all ideals of perfectionism and certitude within 3 meetings.
So there was hesitancy, and sensory toys, and visual supports, and calm voices, and a TV even, but no amount of verbal coaching or coaxing was going to do: Zach knew what needed to be done - 2 minutes in the chair without any support. The visual timer app was set and ready to go. And so a few minutes passed and at some various point, after being told that once he waited in the chair for 2 minutes he could then leave, my WonderBoy did what had to be done and I am feeling slightly optimistic that we might actually have a shot of getting my boy finally away from the damned "papoose".
So here's to next week, and the week after that and to all the parents who cringe at the thought of bringing their child into the dentist, or doctor for that matter.
And by this post I hereby present today's adventure in a few pictures...
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What might seem like no big deal to others was a victory for us. We'll take it and look forward to the next target! Ratchet it up baby!
