Luke Douglas
Sunday, October 09, 2011
WHEN it comes to dental care, dentists can’t expect children, especially those with intellectual disabilities, to just sit, open their mouths and receive treatment without problems.
For children on the autism spectrum, dental care is especially difficult.
Most children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have problems with communication and have a hard time keeping still.Others have behavioural challenges like biting, screaming, becoming easily frustrated as well as numerous sensory issues.
To address these challenges being faced by children with ASD and their families, the Jamaica Autism Support Association (JASA) recently teamed up with the School of Oral Health Sciences at the University of Technology and a number of sponsors to stage two free dental clinics for children 13 years old and under who are on the autism spectrum.
JASA co-founder Kathy Chang said approximately 40 children were treated at the clinics, held on August 18 and 25 at the St Andrew facility.
She noted that many of the children had never been to the dentist because of the financial challenges faced by their parents as well as their sensory issues, which make dental visits difficult for them.
“It is not their fault,” Chang explained. “These children require a special
approach and lots of patience. This is why JASA is extremely grateful that the School of Oral Health Sciences was willing to work with our children.”
In preparation for these dental clinics, JASA had arranged for the dentists and nurses working with the autistic children to be properly sensitised and better prepared. JASA also created a social story — a basic short story with pictures to help the children with ASD interpret challenging social situations — to prepare them for what to expect.
Paediatrician Dr Andrea Garbutt explained how difficult it is for children with ASD to care for their teeth.
“They don’t like the sensation of the mouth; you are also entering into their personal space and the direct eye-to-eye contact; and (there is) someone touching them. They find that intimidating, even if that person is their mother or father,” she said.
As such, Garbutt said the process involved the screening of the children so that their first experience with the dentist would be as positive as possible.
“The kids who were more affected in terms of their social, cognitive and communicative skills would have more difficulty sitting though the visit,” she
noted.
The doctor urged parents to provide positive reinforcement in helping their children to brush their teeth.
Chang expressed special thanks to sponsors Colgate Palmolive Ltd, MJD Pharmaceutical and George Azan and Sons for their contributions of toothpaste/toothbrush packages, Crayola GUM, spinbrushes, toys and treats to the clinic. Photography for the social story was contributed by Wendy-Anne Khouri Chinn.
For more information, contact www.jamaicaautism.org or e-mail jasa.jm2k9@gmail.com.