The Dentist.
Big day for Simon today at the dentist.
This was his second time being there while Chris and I alternated getting our teeth cleaned. We were there about 6 months ago and at that time he was really uncomfortable with the noises and the idea of even sitting in the chair.
Our plan was to just try it again.
The experience today was great. We did a little pre-trip planning: last night we talked about what was going to happen today (repeated again this morning a couple of times) - we were all going to go to the dentist together and we were all going to take turns sitting in the chair and having our teeth cleaned.
I picked him up from school (summer session just started on Tuesday), stopped at the pool for a quick swim, and then drove over to the dentist where Chris had already started getting his teeth cleaned. We walked in and said hi to Daddy, played a bit with the toys in the waiting room, walked back and forth a few times to see what was happening with Daddy, looked in Daddy's mouth, peeked at the dentist from behind the partitions, and talked about how it was going to be Simon's turn in the chair next. First Daddy, then Simon, then Mom.
He was giggly - which was a good sign.
The hero of the day turned out to be the hygienist, Nancy. She was a superstar. She spoke slowly and quietly - and moved fairly quickly from one thing to the next to keep his attention and not let him get sidetracked or panicky. She started out with him just standing next to the chair as she introduced him to her tools (calling them cute names and telling him that they were all friends and they all sat together along the side of the tray). Then she asked him if he was ready to sit in the chair and he was. She put on the "necklace" (he loved that) and showed him the "flashlight" (the big light above the chair) that she needed to use to see in his dark mouth.
One of the most important things she did was give him things to hold in his hands: a mirror so he could see what was happening (a sense of control) and the small vacuum or the cleaning paste (choices). She showed him how the vacuum worked by sucking up a bunch of water from a small cup and then having him help her spray water into the cup and suck it down again. Having a job for him and showing him how each thing was going to work seemed to make all the difference. She also gave him choices. She did not rush him or try to speed through anything and she was so super calm. She was able to place the vacuum in his mouth, as well as the water, and was even able to clean some of his teeth with the spinning brush.
One of my favorite moments was just seeing him sitting in the chair
like such a big kid and looking back up and over at me and Chris with a
very large grin. So cool.
She was really conscious of not wanting him to have a negative experience. She knew when to stop and when to keep going just a bit more. Chris and I pretty much just stood there in awe...and then we just felt so proud of him and thankful for her.
Another highlight was choosing his toothbrush (Elmo), paste , and some floss. Oh yea, and an orange bouncy ball.
The rumor from the front desk as we headed out of the office was that this particular hygienist has ten children. A complete pro.
And for Chris and me, an overall sense of relief that it was a good experience for Simon. The difference between our last visit and this one was night and day. Tonight we will be celebrating how cool and ok it is to go to the dentist, how brave Simon was (big kid), and how lucky we were to have Nancy as our hygienist.
Awesome Simon!!! What a brave and adventurous dude you are!
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YAY Simon! You rock little man!
Hugs~
Christyne
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Yeah Simon!!!! So happy for you Ali! I met you in San Diego at Ever After. My little guy Vince has autism too. We had to go through a couple of dentists to find the right one for Vince - horrible experiences for all of us ( I think more me because I don't like to see Vince feel so threatened). But we finally have a very cool dentist. He was recommended highly from my autism support group. This dentist sees a majority of the children with autism here. He is calm, refreshing and most important - he explained everything to Vince and gave him choices too. All the other dentists were telling me that they would have to put Vince to sleep in order for them to give him a proper exam. No way! But our dentist now believes there is no need for that because Vince cooporates with him. When I read today about the dentist, it just reminded me on how much of a big deal it is to have found the perfect dentist for our kids. I'm celebrating with you here in San Diego!
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Sounds like it was a fantastic visit!!
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How awesome that you "found" Nancy and how Nancy "found" you! Those little blessings can mean so much! Yay for Simon and clean teeth. Maybe I should take my DH for a road trip to see Nancy... he's afraid of the dentist also. ;)
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Wow!! She's awesome!! Good for you and for Simon too!
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That's awesome that Simon had such a good time. I bet Nancy would really appreciate a copy of what you wrote sent to the dentist's office. Recognition for a job well done keeps people motivated, at least that is the case for me.
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As a dental professional for 15 years and all those years working with kids, I appreciate those who make it easy and happy. Send Nancy a thank you card and have Simon sign or draw on it. It makes our jobs worthwhile. Tell Simon I said that he is supoer awesome and HE is MY hero!!!
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You are so lucky! Our 3 year old Ben needs to visit the dentist for the first time at the end of the summer and we've been talking it up, which REALLY helps with Ben. Lots of talking and lots of reminders. By the way, there's an episode of Higglytown Heroes (playhouse disney) where the "hero" is the dentist. Ben loves it, and it's a great refresher or starting point.
I would totally be celebrating for a week for such an awesome trip.
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How wonderful for you guys and yay Simon!! I have a 5 year-old with Aspergers and know how new and different situations can be extremely challenging but it sure looks like in this case, all went way better than expected. :) Congrats on such a big day and such a big accomplishment!
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Ali, That is such a Great story! Yeah for Simon and Yeah for Nancy!
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:) That is awesome!! So glad for you guys!
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Ali, I soooooooooooooo understand where you are coming from, when it comes to doing things that are new to Simon, and trying to make it such a positive experience so that he can grow and understand that so many things, like the dentist, are important for him.
I manage a group home with 5 developmentally disabled adults. A lot of things are "trying" and it's all about how you approach the situation, even the new experiences. I can handle behavioral challenges, but when you throw a new experience in the mix and deal with those challenges it can be so hard. You really sound like you think things through, to give it the best shot and I think that's GREAT!
I've read your blog since it's inception, I don't speak out much, but every time you speak of Simon and new experiences and how you pre-prep him for things, I have to say that this is the BEST thing you can do for Simon as he grows in life.
Kudos to you and Chris!
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I love the Nancy's of our world! Yeah, Nancy!
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I love hearing...ummm...reading about Simon's big milestones he's been climbing over. Keep on going Simon!!! Way to go at the awesome dentist!!!
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I am celebrating with you! My son had a similar expierience with a blood test today.The first one was horrific(me stuggling to restrain him for over an hour)This time some people in pediatrics escorted us and restrained him quickly and it was over before he could panic.After that he was excited to show me his band aid and tell me he got a bloodtest-he was also excited that he has red blood! Super cool people make all the difference.
I will refer back to this post before the dentist I'm sure-I love your posts about Simon they make me feel like I am not alone in this autism thing :)Good for you Simon!!
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So nice to hear that things went well. Yay for Simon!!
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This is going to sound really silly but I am sitting here with tears rolling down my face reading your story. It is so wonderful to hear a positive story about something that can be anything but for a lot of children. I have a special child too and I know just how trying, difficult, and frustrating these things can be. I am so happy for you all!
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Way to go Simon!!!! Good Hygenisists are priceless when it comes to kids!!! Yeah for all of you.
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So nice to read this. I feel like I learn so much about relating to kids from reading your blog. Thanks!
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Ali, you are such a great mother. I just had to say that.
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Can you please send Nancy over to Australia? I will pay her tickets!!!! :P
/giggle
/cheer
/bye
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What a wonderful person Nancy must be, and how brave and grown-up Simon was! So happy for you all!
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People like Nancy make this world a better place:)
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First of all, I am relieved to know I'm not the only one that has a 3-year-old who has yet to see the dentist. I am going to take him very soon though.
Secondly, that is sooo cool that it went so well! Yay Simon! Yay Mom & Dad! And YAHOO for Nancy!
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