April is Autism Awareness Month—a time to celebrate neurodiversity and promote understanding, inclusion, and support for individuals on the autism spectrum. At Cipes Pediatric Dentistry, we’re proud to provide a welcoming, comfortable experience for all of our patients, including those with sensory sensitivities or other challenges related to autism.

We use a variety of strategies to help make dental visits easier and more predictable for children on the autism spectrum. Here a few that other families have found helpful.

Sensory-Friendly Support

We know that sensory sensitivities can make a big difference in how a child experiences a dental visit. That’s why we offer a variety of accommodations to help your child feel more at ease:

• Social Stories– Our dental specific social stories (picture guides) can walk your child through what to expect during dental appointments with us. These can be accessed via our website or emailed to you upon request.
• Toothpaste variety – We have several flavors to choose from, and you’re always welcome to bring your own if there’s a preferred brand or taste.
• Headphones – Many children wear headphones during their visit to block out noise or listen to calming music.
• Sunglasses – For those sensitive to light, we provide sunglasses to help reduce discomfort from the bright dental lights.
• Dental chair adjustments – We can adjust the position of the dental chair to find what’s most comfortable for your child.  They can also sit on your lap if that makes them feel more comfortable.

We also understand that consistency is key. Whenever possible, we do our best to schedule appointments with the same provider and in the same room, so your child knows what to expect each time they visit.

Creating a positive, low-stress environment is important to us. If you have any specific concerns or requests for your child’s visit, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we will work together to create an individualized and successful dental experience for your child.