Doctor visits can be stressful for everyone. Use this checklist to help set your family up for success.
BEFORE THE VISIT
- Call your healthcare physician to explore any potential accommodations for the visit.
- Play doctor using a doctor's kit with your child.
- Prepare a bag of favorite games and activities to bring along for the visit.
- Create a strategy for dealing with any potential triggers your child may have.
- Prepare any visual aids you might need.
- Read a social story. Consider using this social story we've developed, https://www.kansasbehavior.com/resource/im-going-to-the-doctor
DURING THE VISIT
- Utilize visual aids
- Don't wait until things start to go bad; use reinforcers constantly during the visit.
- Save some reinforcers for later in the visit (such as an exclusive reinforcer if there is a lengthy wait time).
- Before they do anything, ask the doctor and nurse to explain what they are doing.
AFTER THE VISIT
- After the visit, engage in something that your child really enjoys.
- Keep track of unforeseen challenges so you can prepare for them in the future.
- For your social story, take notes.
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