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.
this is AMAZING... awesome job simon!! i wish we could find a dentist that was sympathetic to cole being autistic. as it is, every one in this town refuses to see him.
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I've read your blog from time to time, and when I visited the other day I decided I had to put you in my feed reader. I'm so glad I did, this is such a beautiful story. Thank goodness for the Nancy's of the world- they make such a difference for children.
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Ali, will you say more about how you're celebrating the great dental appointment. It seems all to often we have the intent the celebrate but the action falls short. Thanks for the continued inspiration!
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I love love love reading all about Simon's experiences. I am a special ed teacher and by no means any type of expert on any disability--especially Autism. However, I know how important it is for ALL kids to feel successful (even with things that seem as simple as going to swimming lessons or the dentist-things that some of us might take for granted)and it seems as though you and your husband always do this in such a big way! I simply love it. You really do inspire me to be a better teacher and a better mom. Thanks. And high fives to Simon.
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WAY TO GO SIMON!!! (And way to go Nancy for being so brilliant!!)
I am so happy that this was a good experience. Awesome news.
Kim
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I have always had great admiration for Simons bravery - like singing to all the CKU ladies. But today he went up a little more in my estimation. I am petrified of the dentist and I am 36. I go because I know it is the right thing to do. But we have to take it slow and I need lots of deep breaths. I have never been as ease relenquishing control. So what a great job that little boy has done?!!!
It is also heart warming to hear about people like Nancy that are so gifted at what they do. And I loved your analysis of the the situation - so calm and rationale. What a great mamma you are to wonderful and brave little boy.
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How awesome!!! we've had those good connections and some not so good with our family... It's so good to find the person that each child clicks with and vice versa... we had a hygenist with my son that pushed all the wrong buttons... it was such a disaster... She tried the "don't be a baby, you're a tough guy" approach and he so needed the encourager/cheerleader... So glad for your experience.
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Ali-what about writing a mini book re your son's and your experience at the "cleaning place"? for kids and parents; that would be a wonderful contribution for all of us; it is scary for adults too; what a difference a sweet soul can make..what about Simon sending her a thankyou note? I am sure you are too busy for any of these and I want you to know how much your website blog has meant to me over the last several months--you are such an optimist and I love that in you and of course all the art you share with us. thank you for being u.
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Hi Ali,
I wanted to send you a quick note about a cool new website created by Corbis a local (Seattle) high-tech company. Corbis sells rights to rights-managed and royalty-free photos from professional photographers, primarily to advertising, marketing and news agencies. Well, they've started a site SnapVillage.com that allows anyone to upload photos and sell rights for their use the same way. I'm sure I'm over-simplifying all this; but I thought you might be interested given your passion for photography and the amazing pictures you take. Wouldn't hurt to make some money from them. :)
And...so proud of Simon! Such a cool Mom and Dad moment too. It's funny how so many of those everyday milestones can just make your heart swell!!
Take care...Jamie
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Ali darlin' you and Chris rock...you know that don't you? I'm so happy that this was such a positive experience for all of you, especially Simon.
I want a Nancy too!
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that's awesome! i met you at ever after in san diego (the OT :)) i think i'm going to print out the description of what nancy did and have parents bring it to the dentist to give them a better idea of how to work with kids who have special needs. yay for simon! :)
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So awesome! Sounds identical to the trip my son had to the dentist last week, right down to the bouncy ball. :) I'm glad he had such a great experience.
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hallelujah!!!! for professionals who KNOW how to deal wisely with people of all ages.
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what a blessing to find such a great hygenist!
I was trying to email you, but I don't see an email on your blog anymore. I just finished reading this novel by the same lady who wrote; Dying Young, called Daniel isn't Talking. It was a wonderfully touching story about a mother and her fight for what's best for her son with Autism. Here is a link from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Daniel-Isnt-Talking-Marti-Leimbach/dp/0307275728/ref=pd_bbs_1/105-6994293-1336425?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184309942&sr=8-1
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How KEWL is that!! An how awesome is it that God is in the little things, that He knows will make a difference! Nancy was like an angel sent down to make it such an easy experience!!
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omg...
so minus the part where your hubby was there, we literally just experienced the same dental adventure on monday. it was a big hit, no tears this time, and no cavities:) we love family dentistry that takes such good care of their patients. there is only one dentist and her hygenist/office manager in her practice. so no distractions, and all the goodness:)
great job simon!
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WAY TO GO SIMON!!
isn't is amazing the difference one person can make in an experience.
My dd has pdd/nos and it is always hit or miss with our doctors appts (being military we don't have the luxury of the same nurse each time)
God bless all the people who take the time with our kids, it really does make a difference!
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When my children were getting ready for their first trip to the dentist, we had a special book we read read. It was a "Little Critter" book called Just Going to the Dentist". They loved the book and were excited for their first visit. The book is so cute and Little Critter was very brave. Now my children LOVE the dentist, especially because their first experiances were so good. (also because the dentist gives out whoopi cushions).
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What a relief for you and Chris and such an accomplishment for Simon. Hooray for all, including the hygienist. Love these kind of stories -- normal, everyday people who are superstars!
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what a difference an understanding and loving professional makes! Yeah for Simon!
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That's awesome! My boys LOVE going to the dentist because of a great team of hygentist's like Nancy. You rock Simon!
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Yay for all 3 of you!
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Wow...Huge thumbs up to Simon. I have never met him...but I love seeing your pictures here of him where he is looking up at you in the midst of some activity with confidence, cheer and most of all that sparkle in his eye. You capture it often -- so I know that is part of his character. I can imagine that was the look you got at the dentist...one of his "Hey Mom!...look at me!" moments. YEAH!
Cudos to Nancy as well. Sounds like she was a perfect fit for Simon (and you). So often I feel blessed by what I call "divine appointments" -- those moments when I feel that God has blessed me in meeting someone whom I was not yet even aware of -- but who provides a blessing, insight or learning experience for me just because I came in contact with them. In my life -- Nancy would have been a Divine Appointment...may you AND Simon have many more of those kinds of moments in the weeks and months ahead. Thank you so much for sharing this encouraging progress story...
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reading about this terrific hygienist working so well with simon brought tears to my eyes. she was just what simon needed to have a good experience at the dentist's office - after all the meticulous prep work you and your husband did!
I can just picture him all giggly, then serious (paying attention) and then glad to be part of the process.
Thanks for sharing that with us :)
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that is so great! Good job, Simon! What a big boy you are! We are just in the thinking process of when to take our little guy...been going to the same dentist for 30 years now, and he has been great, so I can't wait to see how John does....
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